Tonight with your 13 to 17 year old

The prompt

“What do you think actually makes someone trustworthy, like, what's the real test of it?”

What to listen for

Listen for whether they focus on consistency ("they do what they say"), honesty ("they don't lie even when it's easier to"), or loyalty ("they don't talk about you behind your back"). Each version tells you what they value most in the people they let close, and it often mirrors what they need from you too.

If they bring up a specific example, a friend who kept a secret, or someone who didn't, that's them processing a real experience through this question, so let them go wherever it leads without redirecting.

If they give a one-word answer like "idk, just being honest," that's still useful, you can gently follow up with "has someone shown you that lately?" without turning it into an interrogation.

What this tells you

Their definition of trustworthiness reveals what they most need to feel safe in a relationship, including with you.