Podcast Discusses How to Have Conversations with Children on Hard Topics
Having a conversation about a challenging subject can be difficult, but the latest Thriving Kids podcast episode focuses on how these types of conversations are often the ones that children most need caregivers to start.
In the podcast, Dave Anderson, PhD, the Child Mind Institute’s senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education, joins Kate Snow, a senior national correspondent for NBC News and anchor for “NBC News Daily,” to discuss the topic.
The discussion revolves around Snow’s years of reporting on difficult topics, from substance use to the toll of the digital world on teenagers. Anderson and Snow discuss what children are often seeing and experiencing online, and why it is important to talk to children about tough topics early and often, rather than waiting for the “right moment.”
Some tips from the Child Mind Institute on the topic include:
Don’t wait for a crisis to start the conversation. Bring up difficult topics - a scary headline or even just a rough day - before things reach a breaking point. Low-key check-ins make it easier for children to open up when it matters.
If you’re worried, ask directly and calmly. Asking a child how they’re really doing - even about something as serious as suicidal thoughts - doesn’t plant the idea or make things worse. Instead, it shows them they have someone safe to talk to, which can be a relief for them.
Get a real picture of their world online. Children are usually on their phones far more than caregivers realize. Ask open-ended questions about what they’re seeing, who they are talking to, and which apps they use most.
Model the habits you want to see. Children notice when their parents are glued to their own phones. Naming your own limits out loud - such as mentioning that you are putting away your phone at the dinner table - teaches balance more effectively than rules alone.
Protect the relationship, not just the rules. Prioritize connection over correction through activities such as walks together, cooking dinner side by side, or game nights. Low-stakes, fun time together helps to build a foundation of trust, which makes hard conversations possible when you need to have them.
For more information, listen to the Thriving Kids podcast.