Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old

The prompt

“What do you honestly think about the rule that you have to try new foods at dinner?”

What to listen for

A clear opinion, even a strong complaint, shows they feel safe pushing back on house rules with you, that's a healthy sign of trust, not defiance.

If they suggest a modified version of the rule, like trying a smaller bite or trying it without pressure, take that seriously, it shows real negotiation skill worth rewarding with flexibility.

If they say they don't mind the rule at all, that's worth appreciating too, not every rule needs to be a battleground, and it's good to notice when one already feels fair to them.

What this tells you

This shows how much say they feel they currently have over small, everyday parts of family life.