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These are good for use with kids, friends, spouses...

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Best Ways to Talk to Teens

Is there a teen in your life who you wish would open up to you more? Whereas little kids are often quite chatty, sometimes it seems that as children get older they become more guarded. The truth of the matter, however, is that teens usually have a lot to say as well. The trick is getting them at the right moment, not being judgmental, and asking the right questions.

Whether you're the parent, family member, or friend of a teen, or you're a teen yourself who's trying to get to know one of your peers better, this list of conversation starters should be a great resource for interesting, open conversations.

Conversation Topics for Teens

School

Interests and activities

Friends and family

Romantic relationships

Personality

Future goals

Food

Possessions and money

Emotions and dreams

Memories and life events

Hypothetical and existential questions

Once we've covered all of these conversation topics, we'll turn our attention to general tips for talking to teens.

School, Interests, and Activities

Questions About School

What is your favorite class in school? What do you like about it?

What is your least favorite class in school? What don't you like about it?

Which class are you learning the most in?

Which class are you learning the least in?

Do you like going to school?

Are you a part of any clubs at school? Which ones?

If you were made a teacher for a day, which subject would you want to teach?

Are there any bullies in your school? If so, how do you deal with them?

Questions About Interests and Activities

What do you usually do after school?

What are your hobbies?

Do you play any video games? Which ones?

Do you play any sports? Which ones?

Do you collect anything? What is it?

Do you play any musical instruments? Which one?

What do you like to do most during the weekends?

What type of music do you listen to?

What is your favorite song at the moment?

Do you like reading books? What's the last book you read?

What is something that you like to do when you're bored?

Who is your favorite actor/actress?

What is something that you feel passionately about in life?

How would describe your perfect day?

What talents or skills do you have?

Do you speak any other languages? Which ones?

Where is your favorite place to hang out? What do you like about it?

If you could marry any celebrity in the world, who would it be?

Friends, Family, and Romantic Relationships

Questions About Friends

What makes someone a good friend?

What makes someone a bad friend?

Do you tend to have just one or two good friends, or do you have a large group of friends?

Is there anyone at school that you would like to get to know better? Who is it?

Would you be willing to die for your best friend?

Do you have any friends that you're worried about right now? Why?

What traits do you look for when you're trying to make a new friend?

Questions About Family

On a scale of 1 to 10, how strict are your parents?

Are you closer to your mom or dad?

Do you have chores at home? What are they?

Do you have siblings? Where are you in the birth order?

Do you get along with your siblings?

What was the last disagreement you had with your siblings about?

Questions About Romantic Relationships

Is there anyone you have a crush on right now?

What do you look for in a boyfriend/girlfriend?

At your school, are there a lot of people who are in romantic relationships?

If you could marry any celebrity, who would it be?

Are you dating someone right now?

Would you rather date someone older or younger than you?

Do you think you might like to get married someday?

Personality and Future Goals

Questions About Personality

Would you consider yourself to be more of a shy person or an outgoing person?

Have you ever wanted to be popular?

What would you say is one of your weaknesses?

Are you more of an indoor person or an outdoor person?

Are you a cat person or a dog person?

What joke never fails to make you laugh?

Who are your heroes and what qualities do you admire about them?

Is there someone who you think looks up to you? Who is it, and what do you think they look up to about you?

What is something that you really like about yourself?

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why?

Questions About Future Goals

What is your ultimate goal in life?

What scares you the most about the future?

What is your dream job?

What are your plans for the future?

Do you have a bucket list? What are the top two or three things on that list?

Do you have any role models? Who are they, and why do you look up to them?

What do you plan to do after you graduate from school?

At what age would you like to live on your own?

What do you think your life would look like 10 years from now?

What do you think the world will be like 25 years from now?

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten? Would you eat it again?

Food, Possessions, and Money

Questions About Food

What is your favorite food?

What is your favorite dessert?

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

What do you usually eat for lunch at school?

Which is your favorite meal of the day?

What is your favorite restaurant?

If you could have an unlimited supply of any food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten? Where and when did you eat it?

Questions About Possessions

Where do go shopping for your clothes?

What is your favorite item of clothing? What do you love about it?

Which possession do you cherish the most? Why?

When you were young, did you have a favorite stuffed animal or toy?

Do you like to keep your room neat and organized, or do you like it to be messy?

If you were stranded on a desert island, which one possession would you want to have with you?

Questions About Money

What was the last thing that you bought with your own money?

What do you usually buy with your allowance money?

Do you think it's important to save for a rainy day?

If someone gave you $1,000 and said you had to give it to charity, which charity would you choose and why?

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

Emotions, Memories, and Life Events

Questions About Emotions and Dreams

What was the first thing that made you laugh today?

What makes you thrilled and excited?

What is the best part of your day?

Do you ever feel lonely or left out?

What scares you the most?

What is your biggest worry in life?

What helps you feel better when you're upset or stressed out?

Do you ever feel sad? What do you do to feel comforted?

What are three things that you are grateful for today or this week?

What hurts your feelings?

What is your biggest fear?

What is the most difficult thing in your life right now?

Do you care about what other people think about you?

Do you have any dark secrets?

What's the best thing about being a teenager?

What's the worst thing about being a teenager?

What is the weirdest dream you've ever had?

Do you have any recurring nightmares?

Questions About Memories and Life Events

What is one of your earliest memories?

Where did you go on your most recent vacation?

What's your greatest achievement so far?

What's your biggest regret in life so far?

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done in your life?

What is the most embarrassing incident that has ever happened to you in your life?

What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?

What is the weirdest or craziest thing you have ever done in your life?

What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?

Do you live by any life motto?

If you were given the chance to become immortal, would you take it?

Hypothetical and Existential Questions

Would you rather be five years younger or five years older?

Would you rather burn to death or freeze to death?

Would you rather have no arms or no legs?

Would you rather live on the beach or in the mountains?

Would you rather have no hearing or no sight?

If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?

If you could be any animal, which one would you be?

Is it ever okay to lie?

If you only had one month to live, how would you spend your time? With whom?

What would your weapon of choice be if you were in a zombie apocalypse scenario?

If you could have any superpower, which one would you choose and why?

How many second graders do you think you can handle in a fight before you're overwhelmed by them?

If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?

If you died right now, is there something that you would definitely regret not saying or doing?

If you were given the chance to become immortal, would you take it? Why or why not?

If it were up to you, how would you change the world?

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?

If you could watch only one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

What would you want to be famous for?

What would you like people to say about you after you die?

Do you ever wish you could go back in time and be a little kid again?

What do you think is the meaning of life?

What do you think happens after death?

How to Get Teens to Open Up: 8 Tips

I hope you've found some good questions in this list that will help spur your next conversation with the teen in your life! Now let's talk about some general tips for talking to teens.

1. Step Back and Stop Talking

Yes, we've just listed 120+ conversation starters, but sometimes direct questions aren't the best way to get teens talking. Sometimes you just need to give them the time and space to come to you. You may find that this happens when you're driving in the car together, or when you're both in the same room doing different things. Out of the blue, your teen may mention something-something that happened that day or something that's on their mind-and this could be the start of a good conversation.

2. Listen for the Emotions

Is your teen describing something that made them upset? Are they telling you about a situation they don't know how to handle? Listen for the emotions and validate them. Don't minimize their feelings and tell them they shouldn't feel that way. Say, "yes, that does sound frustrating" (or whatever the emotion is), and then stop talking. Leave space for them to hear your validation. If they feel you are really listening empathetically, they will likely tell you more about the situation.

3. Don't Solve Their Problems for Them

Even if you went through the exact same situation when you were younger, or even if you think you know the best way to solve the problem, now is not the time to jump in with your solution. One of the most important jobs of being a teenager is becoming more independent and learning how to navigate life's challenges on their own. The last thing teens want to hear is their parent's (or another adult's) quick fix. On the other hand, if your teen asks you directly for your advice, you can certainly give it, although you should be mindful of not being too didactic. Make it a conversation rather than a lecture.

This can be a fine line to walk-because you don't want to sound like you're trying to solve their problems for them-but if you did happen to go through a very similar experience when you were a teen, by all means, share your memories. Just make sure it's welcome (i.e., your teen is interested), and be sure to frame it in a way that's personal to you (e.g., this is what happened to me, and this is how I felt about it at the time). You don't want your teen to hear the story as a thinly veiled lecture about how they should handle their own situation.

5. Hold the Judgment

The teen years are a time of increased independence, new experiences, and occasional experimentation in different realms. It is normal for kids of this age to try different ways of being in the world, and with this comes the inevitable mistakes. Try to hold the judgment and keep your emotions in check. Chances are, your teen realizes they made a mistake-and they're feeling pretty bad about it already. Your first order of business should be to make sure your teen is safe; after that, talk to them about how they feel and what they think they should do. Problem-solve together and make this a learning experience.

6. Explain Why

If you have to lay down the law and tell them they're not allowed to go to the party at their friend's house after the football game, explain your rationale. They might not agree, and they almost certainly will not be happy about it, but at least they'll know you made your decision thoughtfully. No one likes to feel like their lives are being controlled, but if you explain why you're worried or why you don't think it's a good idea, they'll (hopefully) appreciate that at least you're not being capricious. And you never know-it's possible that they're secretly glad you came to the decision you did. Perhaps they also had concerns about the party but didn't want to let on with their friends. Sometimes it's handy to have the old "my stick-in-the-mud parents won't let me" excuse.

7. Notice the Good Stuff

Sometimes we're so focused on what we're worried about or what we think our teen is doing wrong that we forget to notice the good things. Did they clear their dinner dishes without being asked? Help their younger sibling with homework? Improve their grade in one of their classes at school? Take a moment to tell your teen you noticed, and that you appreciate their actions or accomplishments.

8. Carve Out Family Time

Whether it's regular family dinners, weekly game or movie nights, or fun weekend outings, try to create rituals around family time. Yes, everyone is busy and the calendar is jam-packed, but spending relaxed time together on a regular basis will help maintain and strengthen the family bonds. If you're regularly enjoying meals together, laughing at silly TV shows together, or doing other activities together, chances are that your teen will feel more comfortable talking to you when those thorny issues come up in their lives.

Final Thoughts

We all want to have healthy relationships with the teens in our lives, and sometimes it can also be just as important to consider the things we shouldn't be talking to them about as it is to figure out how broach the conversations you do want to have. I hope that this article has given you some good ideas for conversation starters as well as general tips for talking to teens. Good luck, and keep those channels of communication open!

Akilla Praise Olamiposi on August 22, 2020:

Wow such a wonderful article, so inspiring. Thank you for this

Estera Grigore Cernat on May 18, 2020:

Fantastic article..I find it extremely useful ! Thanks for sharing !

Mandy Soren on January 19, 2019:

Awesome ideas

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When it comes to chitchat, teenagers often have a lot to say. Usually, all that's needed is something to spark the conversation. This list provides 120+ conversation starters that are sure to inspire great discussions with the teen in your life! Plus 8 tips to get teens to open up.

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This site has some ideas that might be fun for your family to explore.

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As the world gets seemingly faster, it's more important than ever to build the strength of presence within ourselves and in our families. Our culture is sensing this need and that is why we see an increasing amount of people in all sectors of life exploring ways to become more grounded through yoga, diet, and mindfulness. This yearning is making its way into our homes as many of us have searched for practices and experiences to slow down and bring more connection into our family life as well.

In this article, we've distilled down a list of seven things that we have found that mindful families do differently to help inspire you and your family to live a loving, connected life. An embedded and essential component woven into each of these is the quality of our presence with one another. It is the foundation for everything.

7 Things Mindful Families Do Differently

1) Embrace Imperfection

No matter how many books we read or how much we learn, we will never be "perfect" parents - none of us! Because we are both psychologists and mindfulness teachers it is often assumed that we must be "perfect" parents and honestly, it's not the reality. We still get triggered, overreact, and say and do things that we wished we hadn't. While we have gotten better about this over time, the wisest and most important thing we have learned is to accept our imperfections as parents.

Let's be clear - you are going to make mistakes, you are going to hurt your children's feelings, and you are not going to be able to show up in all the ways you want to or the ways your children want you to, but NONE of that makes you a bad parent - it only makes you a human one. When you can move into a place of acceptance of this you are able to shift into a greater ease and grace within yourself. When we beat ourselves up over our mistakes and imperfections we create more pain, fear, and disconnection.

When we can practice loving, radical self-compassion and self-acceptance we are transformed and we are modeling for and teaching our children to be able to do the same for themselves and each other.

We can't think of a greater gift.

PRACTICE: Take a moment to think about some way your mind is telling you that you're falling short as a partner or a parent. Maybe it's that you don't pack the perfect Instagram-worthy lunches every day like you wanted to, you can't make every presentation or performance at school because you work or it's that you secretly don't like playing (or watching) the same game over and over again with your child.

Now, notice the feeling that that belief brings up as you think about this. Be aware of any places of discomfort and apply a soothing gesture, just like you would to your child if they were upset or feeling shame. You can place your hands in a comforting way on your body this could be on your heart, belly, cupping your face, or even giving yourself a hug and say to yourself, "My mind is telling me I'm falling short, but the truth is, I'm doing the best that I can. I love my child(ren) with all my heart and give to them in so many other beautiful ways." And let these words linger and let your heart receive them. Repeat this or any other comforting words of wisdom as many times as you need to feel your body soften.

2) Listen with Curiosity

There are so many things, as parents, that we're juggling moment-to-moment in our lives that it has become a rare experience to stop and truly listen to one another. We are often distracted - trying to do too many things at once, flipping through our phone with a false sense of urgency or rushing to snap judgments. All of this can lead us to lose our cool with our kids or our partner creating disconnection and misunderstandings.

As we pause and listen to each other more in our lives, we can engage the experiences in our family with a growth mindset. We can see the struggles and triumphs as opportunities for learning and growth. Instead of judging each other, we can get better at recognizing when we don't understand where the other person is coming from, lean in with curiosity and say, "tell me more." Or we might try and stand in their shoes to understand their perspective by asking ourselves, "why might they be acting this way?"

Listening with curiosity opens up more possibilities for fewer misunderstandings, more clarity and greater connection (not to mention better outcomes).

PRACTICE: If you had a peek into most family homes you would hear the familiar echoes of "You aren't listening to me!" When we get triggered, our armor goes up and it's hard to listen and really hear each other. This week, see if you can catch yourself in a moment where you are planning a brilliant counter-argument while not letting someone finish their sentences. This is a sign that you're not listening. Once you recognize this is happening, the best place to start transforming the moment is with yourself.

Stop, take a deep breath, feel your feet, notice if emotions are rising within you and be gentle with yourself. And then proceed by making the moment very simple - choosing to be fully present and listening. You don't have to have an answer in the moment, an awesome retort or even give them what they want. But you will likely be surprised by the transformative power of mindful listening with an open heart.

3) Communicate Courageously

Let's be honest, being vulnerable is hard and at times even scary, which is why we sometimes find ourselves avoiding tough conversations with each other. While in the moment it might feel easier to sidestep talking about something painful or uncomfortable, what is left unspoken and unresolved can turn into a slow poison. Over time this builds resentments, distrust, harmful behaviors, and disconnection. The truth is, being clear and honest with each other about what you need and how you feel is ultimately an act of kindness that creates trust and connection.

This means showing up with our partners and kids with an open heart and an open mind. It builds on listening with curiosity and creates space for everyone to feel comfortable to share how they feel and what they need. Often the core issues in our relationships don't stem from the content of the fights or disagreements but rather from what is not being spoken and not being healed. We cannot stress enough the importance of making repair after a rupture, misunderstanding, or experience of disconnection. This means that even when it feels hard and scary we come back together once everyone's nervous systems have had a chance to calm down and both people can have the opportunity to feel understood and cared about, which leads to feeling safe, soothed, and reconnected.

In coming together and communicating wholeheartedly, you may not always be able to give your kids or partner what they are asking for, but you are giving them something far greater - you are teaching them that it's okay to be vulnerable, brave and empowered.

PRACTICE: See if there is something that's been bothering you but you haven't shared. Take a few moments to get at the heart of the issue. What actually happened and how are you feeling? Maybe there's an underlying feeling of frustration, sadness or fear. Now going a bit deeper and exploring what need(s) you are having that are not getting met like respect, understanding, space or communication. Now, with this preparation, see if you feel ready to approach your family member with openness and curiosity as you share clearly how you feel and the needs you have uncovered.

As an example, "When I heard you demand that I take you to your friend's house I got irritated (feeling). I'd like to be seen and appreciated for the ways I support you (need). Next time it would mean a lot to me if you asked in a kinder way and could say, "thank you" when I do nice things for you.

Of course, use this as a launchpad to play with having courageous communication and see what feels right for you.

4) Practice Appreciation and Gratitude

Being a parent is one of the most thankless jobs around and it's not uncommon that within a family people can take each other for granted. From the endless diapers and feedings when they are infants to the neverending meals, laundry, and taxi driving as they get older. Certain roles are assumed, spoken or unspoken, and small gestures of kindness can go unacknowledged. Here's where little simple shifts can go a long way.

While words of affirmation may or may not be your primary love language, we all want to be seen and appreciated and there's a surprisingly simple way of doing this that can have huge benefits - intentionally practicing being appreciative and expressing gratitude to one another.

There are so many small moments of opportunities for appreciation with one another, like acknowledging our kids or our partner for emptying the dishwasher or being ready on time. If we do small acts of appreciation it can shift the culture of the house from demanding and frustrated to cooperative and grateful. While it may seem silly or even annoying to thank someone for being ready on time - if this has been an issue for this person it feels good to be acknowledged when things are going well. In our house, we make it a practice to thank whoever prepared dinner. This creates a small pause of gratitude for the family and sets a much kinder tone for a shared meal together.

PRACTICE: As you go through this next week, see if you can show your appreciation more intentionally. Like anything else, it's often contagious and you may just start being appreciated more as well. It's often easier to start small so choose something that you naturally feel grateful for and express it in a moment where you might not usually say anything. Maybe it's when someone brings you water or a cup of coffee, straightens the living room, gives you a hug unexpectedly, or picks up the kids and takes them to their activities. Be on the lookout for your expectations when doing this (are you waiting for them to appreciate your appreciation?) and if you notice any pop up see if you can note them and then let them go. Allow this to be a playful exploration of giving and receiving.

5) Forgive Ourselves and Each Other

Lily Tomlin once said, "forgiveness means letting go of any hope for a better past." Every family has its hard moments. There are times when we don't feel listened to, appreciated, or seen and there are other times when people are cranky or "hangry" and say things they don't mean or wish they could take back. If you're in a family (which is just about all of us at one time or another), we know you can relate to these less than stellar moments.

In practicing mindfulness we come to understand that our mistakes aren't signs of failing at being a human. Instead, they are opportunities for learning about the inevitable pitfalls of life, what gets in our way and understanding the optimal route to get back into a space of balance and connection.

The simple phrase of "forgive, investigate and invite" can be enormously helpful. If we have transgressed, we can set the intention to "forgive" ourselves for this wrongdoing, understanding that we can't change the past, remembering that we aren't perfect, and realizing that we often make mistakes out of ignorance, confusion or upset feelings. We then investigate where we went off track and what impact it made and how we would respond differently next time to learn from it. After that, we can "invite" ourselves to make repair.

Practicing "forgive, investigate and invite" over and over again in life becomes an incredible vehicle for healing, connection, and growth in yourself and in your family.

PRACTICE:There are often many opportunities for forgiveness in a family. There is always someone who doesn't follow through, meet our hidden expectations or steps on another's toes (and at times it's us). Be on the lookout for these moments and recognize them as opportunities to practice forgiveness. Some are small and worth just letting go, while others deserve to be investigated with an invitation for communication.

Saying in your mind, "In whatever way you have harmed me, out of your own ignorance, confusion or upset feelings, we all make mistakes, I am inclining toward forgiveness." Then get curious about what really happened here. It may be skillful to include the practices of "listening with curiosity" and "communicating courageously." Remember, it's an opportunity for us to learn and grow.

6) Practice Support and Generosity

One of the core values of mindfulness is generosity. The spirit of generosity means giving and sharing things of value that can be reflected in money, time, love or possessions. As our kids look to us to see how to be in the world, the beautiful thing about practicing generosity is that our acts not only have a positive impact on ourselves and the recipient but also have ripple effects for generations to come in making the world a kinder and happier place.

Of course, this all starts with us tapping into our own generosity which can come in many forms. This can include donating money to a cause you support, bringing a meal to a sick friend, or giving a hug or smile to someone who needs it. Our kids are always watching us, learning how to be in the world and modeling our behaviors. So it's important that we model this way of being in the world and include them in these acts as often as possible. Want some ideas? You can consider getting involved in service projects at a local school or organization. You can encourage your kids to make pictures or cards for their grandparents or someone who is ill. You can have a rule where a certain percentage of money from a lemonade stand goes to a charity chosen by your kids. You can even make a game out of it. In our family, we encourage kindness by putting "kind bucks" (play money) in a jar when we catch them doing a kind or generous act. Eventually, these "kind bucks" can be turned in for various rewards.

There are so many different ways to express generosity and compassion. These small or large acts are the essential healing agent within the family system, our culture, and the world. Ultimately, connection is the cornerstone of well-being and it starts in the family.

PRACTICE: Have an informal family meeting to talk about why generosity and compassion are important and ways you want to incorporate it into your family. You will be pleasantly surprised by the creative and fun ideas your kids have! We have found that when they are involved in the planning and have a more personal connection to the experience they are much more engaged and it ultimately carries much more meaning for them and you. And remember to make it fun - it will keep them engaged and wanting to do it again and again. You can explore doing it with other families or invite friends to come along.

7) Don't forget to play and have fun!

We all can get stuck in the day to day grind and managing a barrage of stressors that we actually forget to have fun! It seems silly to say that any of us would forget to have fun and enjoy each other but it's more common than you think. Raising children is probably the most important job you will ever be tasked with and the pressure of raising good humans can be weighty. So much so that we can fall into a pattern of taking things too seriously and being overly focused on tasks (chores, homework, activities, etc.) that we lose the enjoyment of being together.

With the exception of planned trips (we all know they aren't "vacations") we often don't intentionally plan fun in our day but why not? We plan everything else so why not be more purposeful when planning out the week to make sure to include experiences of play? When the family plays together, there's also often more laughter which creates a joyful experience of connection and healing. These moments are often the ones that are cherished and remembered for years to come.

PRACTICE: Dr. John Gottman, internationally renowned relationship expert, has found that in order to have healthy, stable relationships our ratio of positive interactions should be five times greater than our negative interactions with each other. If you hold this 5:1 ratio in mind reflect on your interactions within your family for this past week or even past month...what ratio would you give it? If it feels out of balance, spend some time looking at how you can cultivate more positive experiences in the family.

Get together and explore if there is an activity that everyone finds fun and interesting and make it a point to do them. This can range from big things like surprising the kids by skipping school and taking them to an amusement park for the day to smaller things like getting them ice cream after school on a random Tuesday for no particular reason. You can experiment with having a weekly game night, having an impromptu water balloon fight or even spending a few minutes watching funny animal videos together. We all have different ideas of what is fun, so find ways to intersect your interests and start doing it! Families get off track all the time and like practicing mindfulness, once we realize this we can always begin again.

Many people ask the question: "How do you start?"

The 15th-century poet Kabir said, "Wherever you are that's the entry point." So we play with starting where we are, pausing, relaxing our shoulders and asking ourselves, "What or who do I really want to focus on right now?" Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen when we can slow down and tune in to the simple things at home. This not only benefits you, but your partner (if you have one), and your children too.

Remember, whatever way you choose to bring these 7 Things Mindful Families Do Differently into your life, you will not be perfect. When you stray from your intention, forgive yourself. In that moment you can discover something vital: you can always choose to begin again. There are so many ways to begin, begin wherever you are.
The Goldsteins have created an annual five-day Mindful Family Retreat, offering space to unplug, recharge, and connect with each other through mindfulness and play. This year's retreat is in Costa Rica on June 15th through the 20th. This unique immersive experience brings together The Goldstein's nearly 20 years in the field as psychologists, mindfulness teachers, and parents to three kids.

Busy schedules, digital devices, long commutes-all of this leads to family members who are disconnected from each other as never before. Psychologists Stefanie and Elisha Goldstein show us ways to strengthen relationships, increase everyone's well-being, and bring the family back together. Read More

Elisha Goldstein on the ways we can increase the intention of being more present in our lives. Read More

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7 Things Mindful Families Do Differently - Mindful

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As the world gets seemingly faster, it's more important than ever to build the strength of presence within ourselves and in our families. Our culture is sensing this need and that is why we see an increasing amount of people in all sectors of life exploring ways to become more grounded through yoga, diet, and mindfulness.

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I try to never let the beauty of nature grow old! We live in an amazing state.

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YOU CAN CREATE SOMETHING: ART, GARDENING, COOKING, MUSIC, WRITING, CRAFTING, KNITTING

GO OUTDOORS: HIKING, TAKING IN VIEWS, DOG WALKING

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My daughter recently went to an alligator farm (that also had snakes) with a friend. Now we’re planning a trip there together. Looking forward to it makes me happy.

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I vent with my friends and I often listen to music and read books when I am feeling down.

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Now that I'm vaccinated and am able to return to in-person church, I really am appreciating the music.  I find myself singing the songs all afternoon.

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We slept in tents in the backyard and pasture ALOT last summer.

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Going on walks and exercises with my dogs.

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Mental health: when driving to work or other errands, I'll pretend that I'm on vacation and 'get' to be there, or are in a paid ride. It changes my perspective and helps me to destress.

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Mental health: when driving to work or other errands, I'll pretend that I'm on vacation and 'get' to be there, or are in a paid ride. It changes my perspective and helps me to destress.

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These are resources you are welcome to use with your family if you find them helpful!

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1. Listen with the intent to listen.
2. Cleaning the house without being told to.
3. Making/Having a simple dinner without devices (such as phones, tv, computers, tablets, radios even).

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Playing games together like UNO

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When we're walking our dogs, I ask my child questions about things he loves.  I dig in and ask follow up questions to connect deeply with him (and he loves being able to be an expert in things I don't have a lot of experience in).

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OUR VISION IS TOEMPOWER A WELL WORLD Who We Are A best practice youth mental health promotion and suicide prevention program designed to harness the power of peer social networks to create healthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse. The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent adverse outcomes ...