🎁 2 Decks: 20% OFF | 3 Decks: 30% OFF | 4 Decks: 40% OFF 🎁
(Even When They Say They’re Fine)
You can know everything about their day.
And still wonder what they’re not telling you.
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.
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
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.
“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.
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.
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
You don’t just want them to talk more.
You want to feel let into their world again.
“...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
“My teen loved this! We talked for about 2 hours!”
— Rachel
TEENS EDITION CUSTOMEROne card. A few minutes.
A little more of their world.
150 conversation starters for parents & teens
START YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION
