Family conversations are important for many reasons. It is a fun and easy way to hear about everyone’s day and get to know each other’s interests. Practicing the back and forth of conversation helps build a child’s social skills. Most importantly, good communication is the foundation of a solid family bond. When children are comfortable talking to parents, they are more likely to discuss personal issues as they arise. It is easy for conversation to become limited to the complaints of the day or discussing the week’s schedule and what needs to be done.
Consider making a list of interesting topics for your family to discuss. Let everyone come up with a number of ideas so there is always something to talk about. Mealtime is an ideal time for a good family conversation. You could also set aside a half an hour in the evening instead of TV viewing, or use the time in the car travelling from one activity to the next. Once you start, there is no limit to the topics you can cover. However, here are a few examples to get the conversation started:
- How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?
- What is something that no one in the family can do but you?
- What makes you feel proud?
- What would you like to learn to do?
- What can you teach someone else to do?
- If you could only keep one book, what would it be?
- What is the hardest thing about being a kid? What is the best thing about being a kid?
- If you could only eat one food for a week, what would it be?
- What is your favourite song?
- What does success mean?
- Is the glass half full or half empty?
- What was the best part of your day? What was the worst?
- What made you laugh today?
- What would you do with a million dollars?
- What would you do if you had no TV or electronics?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- If you could be anywhere doing anything right now, what would it be?
- What is the best surprise you have ever had?
- What would you like to do more often as a family?
- If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be?
- What is your idea of a perfect day?
- What can we do to make the world a better place?
- What is the best thing our family does together?