Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“If we could start one brand new family tradition this year, what should it be?”
What to listen for
An idea involving togetherness (a weekly game night, a special meal) shows they crave more shared, predictable time with the family. Get genuinely excited about trying it.
An idea that's more about a treat or fun outing shows they might be craving novelty and adventure right now.
If they say 'I don't know,' offer two options and let them pick, since choosing between options is often easier than inventing from scratch.
What this tells you
What kind of tradition they invent shows you what they're currently craving more of, closeness, fun, or both.