How to Ask Your Kid "How Was School?" (And Actually Get a Real Answer)

Parents, we totally get it. You’re excited to hear about your kid’s day, but when you ask, "How was school?" all you get is:

"Fine."
"Good."
"I dunno."

Not exactly the deep conversation you were hoping for, right? But don’t worry—there are ways to get them to actually open up. Here’s how:

🔹 1. Ask Specific Questions (Ditch the "How was your day?" trap!).

Instead of a vague "How was school?" (which usually leads to a dead-end), ask something more engaging. Try:

✅ "What was the funniest thing that happened today?"
✅ "Did anything weird or unexpected happen?"
✅ "What’s one cool thing you learned today?"
✅ "If you could change one thing about today, what would it be?"

Kids (and teens) are way more likely to respond when they don’t feel like they’re being interviewed. Keep it fun and casual!

🔹 2. Timing is Everything.

Right after school? Not the best time. They’ve just spent hours sitting through lessons, following rules, and using up all their social energy. They’re probably tired and not in the mood to talk.

Instead, try catching them:
🍽 During dinner – A relaxed family meal is a great time for conversation.
🚗 In the car – There’s something about driving that makes kids open up. Maybe it’s the lack of eye contact?
🌙 Before bed – For some reason, teens love to start deep convos when you’re about to turn off the lights. Be ready for the "Hey, by the way…" moments!

🔹 3. Talk About Your Own Day First.

Want your kid to open up? Start by sharing about your day.

Instead of jumping straight into their school life, say something like:

"You won’t believe what happened at work today!"
"I had the weirdest lunch today—have you ever tried [random food]?"
"I had a super embarrassing moment today—have you ever had one at school?"

This makes it feel like a conversation, not an interrogation. Plus, it shows them that talking about their day is normal and not just a "parent checking in" thing.

🔹 4. Focus on Their Friends.

School isn’t just about classes—it’s about people! If academics don’t get them talking, try asking about their social life:

✅ "Who did you hang out with today?"
✅ "What’s the funniest thing your friend said today?"
✅ "What’s the latest drama at school?" (They might pretend they don’t care, but trust me, they know.)

Teens especially care a lot about their friends, so this is often where you’ll get the most conversation!

🔹 5. Give Them Space (And Don’t Force It).

Some days, your kid just won’t feel like talking. And that’s okay! If they don’t seem in the mood, don’t push.

Instead, try casual check-ins throughout the week rather than expecting a full daily report. The less pressure they feel, the more they’ll want to talk when they’re ready.

And here’s the secret: Teens always talk when you least expect it.
You’ll ask them 100 times about their day and get nothing—then suddenly, at 11:30 PM, they’ll launch into a 45-minute story about their English teacher’s weird coffee addiction. 🤷

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