31 Days {Day 15} – Change Your Questions

Every day after school, I ask the kids the same question: “How was your day?” And I get a variation on the same answer: “Fine” or “Good” or “Okay.” It bothered me that they were always giving me the same, nondescript, answer every single day. But then it occurred to me that I was asking the same, nondescript question every day too. Why did I expect a detailed and revealing answer when my question was so bland and unoriginal?

This same type of meaningless exchange happens between adults too. It looks something like this:

“How are you?”

“I’m fine (or okay. or good). How are you?”

“I’m good (or okay. or fine).”

Now I realize that the question, “How are you?” is often just about making social pleasantries. But sometimes we actually want to have a meaningful conversation with our loved ones. And in those instances, asking the same questions every single day won’t cut it. If we want to get meaningful answers out of our kids (or our spouses, or pretty much anyone), we need to give some thought to the questions we are asking them. So in the interest of encouraging better conversations, I wanted to share a fun article from the Huffington Post, entitled “25 Ways to Ask Your Kids ‘So How Was Your Day?’ Without Asking Them ‘So How Was Your Day?’ And while it’s definitely kid specific, some of these questions on this list could be modified to be applicable to the adults in your life too. Try one of these questions out today, or come up with something creative on your own. You may be surprised at what your find out today at the dinner table!

This post is part of the 31 Days Series-Choose Your Change. Did you miss a day? Visit the 31 Days Welcome page for links to each day.