Tonight with your 9 to 12 year old

The prompt

“What's a way you've become more independent this year that you're proud of?”

What to listen for

If they can name something specific, handling something alone, needing less help with a routine, making a decision on their own, that's a clear sign they're actively tracking their own growth, which is worth celebrating explicitly and specifically. Listen for pride versus matter-of-factness; either is fine, but pride is a good cue to really sit with the moment together.

If they struggle to think of anything, offer an example you've noticed yourself, sometimes kids don't see their own growth until an adult names it for them.

If they mention something they want to be allowed to do more independently but aren't yet, treat that as useful, actionable information rather than just a want.

What this tells you

This shows you how they're building their own sense of capability, and where they most want that growth to be recognized by you.