5 Signs Your Teenager Might Be Struggling in Silence

(Even When They Say They’re Fine)

You can know everything about their day.
And still wonder what they’re not telling you.

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01 · THE AUTOMATIC ANSWER

“I’m fine.”
And that’s the whole conversation.

Animated teen sitting alone on his bed in a cool blue bedroom

You ask how school was. “Fine.” Anything happen? “Not really.” You can feel there’s more, but asking again just gets you a shorter answer.

Try starting somewhere unexpected. A funny question. An opinion. Something with no right answer. Give them a way into the conversation that doesn’t feel like another check-in.

02 · THE MISSING DETAILS

You get the updates.
You miss the stories.

Animated father and son sharing a quiet moment across the dinner table

They need a ride at six. There’s a test on Friday. You know the schedule—but you miss hearing about the little things that happened in between.

A question that has nothing to do with grades or chores can open up a different conversation. One where you get to hear what they think, not just what they need.

FIND A DIFFERENT WAY TO CONNECT
03 · THE UNSPOKEN OBJECTION

They’d rather keep it
to themselves.

Animated teen in a hoodie lying in bed at night, phone light on his face and a tear on his cheek

You’re only trying to help. They mention a problem, and you’re already thinking of ways to fix it. Then comes the eye roll. Or “Never mind.”

Try asking, “Do you want my thoughts, or do you just want me to listen?” Sometimes, being heard is the whole point. You don’t need to have the answer to be someone they can talk to.

04 · THE QUICK DEFLECTION

A joke. A shrug.
Then a new subject.

Animated mother and teen sharing a sideways moment in a parked car on a rainy afternoon

“It’s whatever.” “I don’t care.” Maybe they don’t. Or maybe they don’t feel like getting into it right now.

You don’t have to challenge the shrug. Leave the door open: “If you want to talk about it later, I’m here.” And keep having the lighter conversations, too. Every chat doesn’t need to become a big talk.

05 · THE SIDEWAYS CONVERSATION

They tell you more
when you’re barely trying.

Animated mother and teenage son talking casually while making lunch together

In the car. While you’re making dinner. Five minutes before bed. Suddenly, a little detail slips out—and you wish the moment would last.

You don’t always need a family meeting. Sometimes you just need something to talk about, in a moment you’re already sharing.

A DIFFERENT PLACE TO START

Here’s how 100,000+ parents
are connecting with their teens.

A real Teens Edition card held in a hand: What would you do differently if you weren’t afraid of being judged? A real Teens Edition card held in a hand: What is a dream of yours? How do you plan to fulfill it? A real Teens Edition card held in a hand: What’s your favorite thing to do with your friends?

Tales Teens Edition gives you 150 conversation starters, from ridiculous hypotheticals to questions that make you stop and think.

Pull a card at dinner. Take turns answering. Let the conversation go wherever it goes. No perfect speech. No promise of a heart-to-heart on the first try. Just a simple way to keep getting to know them.

CHECK THESE CARDS OUT
FROM TEENS EDITION CUSTOMERS

What Parents Are
Telling Us

You don’t just want them to talk more.
You want to feel let into their world again.

UGC footage of a mother and teen playing Tales cards on the sofa
★★★★★

“THEY ACTUALLY LOOKED FORWARD TO CHATTING”

“...my son would say ‘did you bring the cards?’ and they actually looked forward to chatting over the topics. ... A great way for us to chat as a family.”

— fiona malone

TEENS EDITION CUSTOMER · EXCERPT
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MAKE ROOM FOR MORE THAN “FINE.”

Give Your Next Conversation
Somewhere New to Go.

One card. A few minutes.
A little more of their world.

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TEENS EDITION

150 conversation starters for parents & teens

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