Four Questions Your Girl Should Ask This Thanksgiving

Being able to ask thoughtful questions of others and then actively listen to their answers is a skill that will help your girl make and keep meaningful relationships (nobody wants to chat with someone who only talks about themselves!) while understanding and respecting different points of view. It will also set her apart in the workplace, where she’ll need both technical skills and social smarts to get along with others and work as a team.

Thanksgiving is actually the perfect time to practice both asking questions and active listening. Between blood relatives visiting from out of town and good friends popping by for a slice of pie, these are the people you value most and want her to be close to throughout her life. Plus, because she probably knows most of the people gathered for the holidays, she’ll feel a bit more confident and comfortable striking up conversations with them than she might with someone new. It’s always easiest learning to do new things when you know you’re surrounded by love and support!

Before Thanksgiving, ask your girl these four questions, and then have her ask them of people at your family gathering. Younger girls, or those who tend to be shy, may prefer writing their questions on index cards so they can have a backup in case they forget in the moment!

1. What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition, and why?
Learning what’s most important to other people can help your girl see value in aspects of the holiday that she may have overlooked in the past.

2. Which Thanksgiving food do you think you’re most like, and why?
From sweet-as-pecan-pie Grandma to auntie who always brings the spice like a good stuffing, your girl will be sure to get some revealing and fun answers.

3. If you had $100 and had to donate it to a charity, which cause would you choose?
Perhaps her seemingly cranky uncle has a soft spot for rescue kitties or her cousin is involved with a cool antibullying organization. This question will help her see the best in your family and friends and could even give her some ideas about how to make the world a better place.

4. Before the first Thanksgiving, Native Americans taught pilgrims to cook corn and other foods. What have you learned from someone who comes from a different background or tradition?
This one gets back to the roots of the holiday and will help your girl understand that, while there may or may not be much diversity at your holiday table, everyone in our big world is full of different views and experiences has something important to offer and share.

After the leftovers are packed up and all the dishes are done, ask your girl to tell you about some of the best or most interesting answers she heard. It’s a wonderful way to reminisce and experience the warmth of the season¾and you just might learn a thing or two about your loved ones along the way!