Parents, the next time you’re tempted to ask your teen, “How are your college applications going?” Consider replacing it with this exercise:
1. Ask, “How are you doing?”
2. After the likely reply of “Fine,” ask, “How are you really doing?”
3. Simultaneously with #2, radiate a sense of safety and concern rather than panic and judgment.
4. Be quiet longer than it’s comfortable to do so.
Number 4 is the most important because it creates tension. Embracing the tension of quiet leaves space for your teen to answer. Replacing the tension of quiet with more words removes that space.
Don’t fill the space. Let the space work for you and for your teen. And a revealing conversation may ensue.
Some tension is healthy tension.