50 Questions and Topics for Parents to Discuss with Their Children
Parents did you know that research shows that early conversations about mental health can significantly impact your child’s well-being. According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and a 2016 publication on the impact of stress on adolescents’ brain, children who are educated about mental health from an early age tend to exhibit better emotional regulation and resilience.
Working with a counselor can give you and your child a structured foundation to address these topics proactively. Counseling can help parents mitigate the risks of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. These are mental health challenges that can impact parents and kids.
Research shows that conversations about mental health can positively impact kids. This includes talking to your child about normalizing mental health and working to make it easier for your child to express their feelings and seek help when needed.
Did you know that counseling offers numerous benefits for children and teens?
Allowing your child to work with a counselor can help them learn how to develop healthy coping skills, create a support system, and learn the building blocks of emotional intelligence. Simply put, counseling can help your child learn to love and value themselves.
Common reasons parents seek counseling for their child:
- To develop better emotional regulation skills.
- To learn resilience.
- Understand how to express their thoughts and feelings.
- Gain skills aimed to help with reducing stress and anxiety.
- To improve communication skills.
- Improve self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Focus In the classroom.
- To improve time management and organization skills.
50 Questions and Topics for Parents to Discuss with Their Children
Getting to Know Each Other Better
- What was the best part of your day today?
- What are four things you’re grateful for?
- What has been your favorite family tradition?
- Can you tell me about a time you felt really proud of yourself?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
- What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn?
- Who is your hero and what do you admire about them?
- What’s your favorite memory?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- What’s your favorite book and what do you like about it??
- What’s your favorite movie and what do you like about it?
Teaching Important Life Skills
- How do you feel about managing money?
- Do you want to learn more about saving and budgeting?
- What do you think is important about being kind to others?
- How do you make good decisions when you’re with friends?
- How do you feel about your current study habits?
- What chores do you think are important to do around the house?
- What do you see your role as in the family?
- How do you handle stress?
- What helps you relax?
- What does it mean to you to be a good friend?
Focusing on Mental Health
- How do you feel about talking to a counselor?
- What does it feel like to be stuck?
- What do you do when you feel sad, frustrated or upset?
- How can we create a calmer environment at home?
- What are some things that make you feel worried?
- How do you work through emotions?
- Can we talk about the importance of self-esteem?
- How do you see yourself?
- How do you feel about the amount of sleep you’re getting?
- Do you feel rested most days?
- What is your definition of mental health?
- What are some things you like to do to take care of your mental health?
- How do you feel about the way people treat you?
- How do you feel about the way people treat you online?
- What are some ways we can help each other better in our family?
- How do you feel about your body?
Building Self-Esteem and Confidence
- What are five things you like about yourself?
- How do you handle it when someone compliments you?
- Can we discuss ways to build confidence in areas you feel unsure?
- What accomplishments are you most proud of, and why?
- How do you feel about trying new things?
- Name three times you stepped out of your comfort zone.
- What do you do when you start to doubt yourself?
- How can I support you in feeling more confident?
- What positive affirmations do you use?
- How do you feel about your abilities and skills?
- Can you tell me about a time you overcame a challenge?
Strengthening the Parent-Child Relationship
- How would you like for us to spend more quality time together?
- What are two things you wish I understood better about you?
- How do you feel when we talk about your feelings?
- What are three fun activities we can do together to bond more?
- How can I be a better listener when you need to talk?
- What are three things you’d like to teach me?
- How do you feel about the rules we have at home?
- What boundaries would you like for me to know?
- How have we in the past improved our relationship?
- How can I support you better?
- How do you feel about our family’s communication?
For more reads on mental health and kids see below:
30 Important Ways Counseling Helps Kids
