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LESSON 3 · Talk So Kids Will Listen

Quick Recap

Seven moves that get real answers:

  • Go specific: swap "How was your day?" for "What made you laugh today?"
  • Leave the loop open: "I wonder what that was like" invites without demanding.
  • Skip the "why": ask "What happened right before?" for facts, not a confession.
  • Sit side by side: driving or cooking takes the pressure off.
  • Use bedtime: dim, quiet, low-stakes — kids open up.
  • Mean it: look up, be genuinely curious, and let a pause sit.
  • Keep your cool: a calm reaction keeps the truth coming.