Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“If our family was a sports team, what do you think we're best at?”
What to listen for
If they say something like "we're good at helping each other" or "we never give up," they're showing you they feel like a real part of something strong and dependable, not just a passenger in the family.
If they name a specific person's strength, notice whether they include themselves, kids who leave themselves out sometimes need you to ask "and what do you bring to the team?"
If they say "I don't know,” ask about a recent team win, like getting through a busy morning together.
What this tells you
How they describe the family's strength shows how much they feel like a valued teammate rather than someone just along for the ride.