Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old
The prompt
“Have you ever had to tell someone a hard truth because it would protect them? What happened?”
What to listen for
If they describe choosing honesty even though it was uncomfortable, that shows real courage and care wrapped together, a strong sign of developing integrity.
If they mention holding back and regretting it, or worrying they should have said something, that's worth exploring gently without judgment, they're working out where the line is.
If nothing comes to mind, ask what they'd do if a friend was about to make a big mistake, hypotheticals often unlock the same values.
What this tells you
This shows whether they're learning that real caring sometimes means saying the uncomfortable thing.