One thing that my wife and I discussed recently, was that we don’t talk to our child enough about some of the bigger issues, that we need to while we still can learn more about our teen. So, we decided to brainstorm a list of questions to ask our teen over time, at the dinner table, wherever. Different questions to better understand our child and just start conversations.
- Who’s your favourite band or solo artist?
- What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? 10 years?
- What do you do when you feel bored?
- Who is your hero and why?
- Do you have a favourite movie?
- What music makes you particularly happy?
- How do you handle stress?
- What do you enjoy doing for fun?
- Do you like to read?
- What do you dream about?
- What really makes you angry and why?
- What makes you most afraid?
- Do you have a favourite colour?
- What is your favourite thing to do outdoors?
- What makes you laugh?
- What do you think of bullying?
- Do you believe in soul mates and true love?
- Have you thought about what career or job you want to have?
- What are your thoughts on marriage?
- Do you think of yourself as religious or spiritual?
- What do you wish you knew how to do that you can’t right now?
- What subjects in school do you enjoy learning about?
- Do you consider yourself more introverted or extroverted?
- Do you think you’re more creative or practical?
- How important is family to you?
- When you have free time what do you enjoy doing?
- What motivates you the most?
- Do you find it easy to make friends or difficult?
- What’s your favourite book?
- Do you feel like you procrastinate?
- Do you feel like a responsible young adult?
- If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
- What’s your favourite game to play?
- Who is your best friend?
- Do you have a role model?
- What do you think about tattoos? Piercings?
- What are your goals for this year?
- As a parent do I ever embarrass you?
- What are your favourite family traditions?
- What family activities and events do you enjoy?
- Is family meal time with you important?
- What qualities do you admire in other people?
- How would you describe your own personality?
- Are there cliques in school?
- Who is your favourite teacher?
- Do others kids in school cheat on their tests or assignments? What do you think about that?
- What do you think it’s illegal for adults under 21 to drink alcohol?
- What are your thoughts on teen alcohol use?
- Do you know kids at your school that smoke? What do you think about that?
- Do children at your school have parties? What do they do at the parties?
- Have kids or adults offered you alcohol, cigarettes or drugs before? How did you handle the situation?
- Do you think coffee and caffeine are drugs?
- Would you ever be worried about being addicted to drugs or alcohol? What do you think it means to be addicted?
- When do you think someone is ready to try alcohol?
- Do you think people should be married to have sex?
- What do you think happens when two people have sex?
- Do your friends and peers “date” at school?
- What are you proud of yourself for?
- What qualities would you look for in a potential partner?
- Do you want to date? Do you feel ready to date?
- What are your thoughts on marriage?
- Do you have any pet peeves?
- What’s your favourite family recipe?
- Is being fit and exercising important to you?
- What do you think about the most during each day?
- Who do you think knows you best?
- Do you think it’s important to speak and understand other languages? Is there a language you want to learn?
- Do you think people can watch too much TV?
- What do you think about politics?
- Is it important for you to vote?
- What do you think you should learn more of at school?
- What do you think you should learn less of at school?
- Do you wish there were any other extracurricular activities?
- Who is the funniest person you know and why?
- Who do you wish you were more like?
- Would you choose a different name for yourself?
- What do you wish you knew more about me?
- What do you think about social status and popularity?
- Do you think it’s okay to lie?
- Do you remember your dreams?
- How important do you think is physical appearance?
- What do you think makes a good friend?
- Do you think you have any bad habits?
- Would you want to be famous?
- Have you ever been made fun of at school?
- Do things ever make you jealous? How do you handle those feelings?
- Do you want to have kids one day?
- What sports interest you?
- What experiences do you think have impacted your life thus far?
- If you won the lottery how would you spend the money?
- What are your favourite childhood memories?
- Which choices have taught you the biggest lessons?
- What is your earliest memory?
- If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be?
- What do you think it means to be ‘male’ or ‘female’?
- What animal represents you the best?
- Do you think you hold yourself back?
- How do you want to be remembered?
- Do you consider yourself a leader?
- What would be your perfect day?