Get Your Teenager Talking: Everything You Need to Spark Meaningful Conversations
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About this ebook
"How was school?"
"Fine."
"Soccer practice?"
"Same as always."
"Anything interesting happen today?"
"Nope."
"Nice talking with you!"
Let's face it. Teenagers have a PhD in one-word answers . . . if we don't ask the right questions.
In this book, veteran youth expert Jonathan McKee shares 180 creative discussion starters to help teens open up about issues that matter. You'll also find tips for interpreting their responses and follow-up questions. From light-hearted to more serious, these conversation springboards will encourage even the most reluctant teen to talk about friends, school, values, struggles, and much more.
"The perfect tool for connecting with today's teenagers."
--Dr. Kevin Leman, author of Have a New Teenager by Friday
"Few people understand the teenage world like Jonathan McKee. This book is one of the most helpful and practical tools I have ever seen to get teenagers talking with their parents about important topics."--Jim Burns, PhD, author of Teenology: The Art of Raising Great Teenagers and Confident Parenting
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee, president of The Source for Youth Ministry, is the author of numerous books including Ministry By Teenagers, Connect, and the award winning book Do They Run When They See You Coming? Jonathan speaks and trains at conferences, churches and school assemblies, all while providing free resources for youth workers on his website, www.TheSource4YM.com.
Read more from Jonathan Mc Kee
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Get Your Teenager Talking - Jonathan McKee
talking!
Conversation SPRINGBOARD 1
If you could text anyone in the world right now, and he or she would actually text you back, who would you text?
Follow-Up Questions
What would you ask that person?
What do you think they’d probably reply?
How would that make you feel?
Why would you choose that person?
Insight Into the Question
These questions not only give you insight into your kid’s heroes or crushes, they provide a peek into his feelings about this person.
Quick Additions
If you could only text one person for the next year—someone you already text regularly—who would you choose?
Why that person?
Who would you really miss texting during that year?
Conversation SPRINGBOARD 2
If you could eliminate one evil in the world, what would you destroy, and why?
Follow-Up Questions
Describe this new world.
How would this change your typical day?
In reality, since we don’t have the power to eliminate evil, what is something people could do that would help battle this evil?
What part could you play in this?
Insight Into the Question
This question gets young people thinking about real-world problems and possible solutions.
Quick Additions
What are some common evils you see every day?
What are some common good things you see people do?
Who is someone you know or observe who inspires others to do good?
How could you inspire others?
Conversation SPRINGBOARD 3
A nationwide survey asked people about the appropriate use of cell phones in social settings such as mealtimes, meetings, and in classrooms. The answers varied considerably by the respondent’s age. The younger the person, the more they perceived texting as permissible in social settings. For example, 50 percent of younger people—ages eighteen to twenty-nine—considered texting during a meal permissible, compared with only 15 percent of those age thirty and older. Similarly, 33 percent of the younger people considered texting during a meeting appropriate, compared with 17 percent of those age thirty and older.¹
Why do you think younger people find it more appropriate to text during meals and