Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old
The prompt
“When's the last time you laughed so hard it actually hurt?”
What to listen for
A vivid retelling, complete with reenactment, shows this is a genuinely treasured memory, those big, uncontrollable laughs are some of the most bonding moments kids have.
If the story involves you or the family, that's a strong signal home still feels like a place of real joy, not just rules and routines.
If they can't remember one recently, that's worth noting gently, it might just mean life's felt more serious lately, and a little more silliness could do everyone good.
What this tells you
This shows you where real, uncomplicated joy shows up most in your child's life right now.