Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old
The prompt
“What's a joke or a bit that's become a total family favorite?”
What to listen for
If they light up telling it, that shared joke is real evidence of belonging and warmth inside the family, a strong, positive sign.
If they can't think of one, that's worth noting gently, it might be a nudge to build more of that shared silliness intentionally.
If they mention a joke that's actually at someone's expense, use it as a soft opening to check whether it still feels fun to everyone involved.
What this tells you
This tells you how much shared joy and inside connection currently exists inside the family, in the small, silly moments.