Not fighting with you, but with all due respect, I can think in at least one scenario where that “mother” should totally have ever kept that kid: she gets the help she needs - and its an obligation of the State to provide! -, hopefuly recovers, and go on becoming a good mother. You call it “insanity”, I call it…

Here’s how I changed that dynamic with my mom...

Seriously. I think this is one scenario where it’s better to be an annoying parent and ask over not. I mean, what happens if your kid is getting bullied at school and you never ask about their day? Sure, they might tell you anyway, but actually showing that you have a reoccurring interest in their day and what happens…

Yes! There are 7+billion people out there that don’t give a shit about my kid. He needs to know they as long as I am breathing, I am here for him. The best parenting quality I possess is consistency.

Absolutely. I have no delusions that my kids will always want to chat with me after school. That being said, kids need consistency. After dealing with an environment as stressful as school, having that reliability at home, with a parent who’s always ready to parent, is important.

Came here to say the SAME shit.

When my husband would first come home each evening I would immediately ask him about his day and start telling him about mine or something silly the dogs did. I work from home and in my defense... I don’t speak to anyone most days between the time my husband leaves for work and comes home. So you know... little…

Yeah I seriously don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to find out what your kid is going through in school, particularly nowadays.

tbh I kind of always figured that was my dad duty to ask questions that I know I’ll get the same answer to every time...

My teenager gives me the blank stare when I ask him. I usually ask him to rate his day on a 1-10 scale (I am survey research scientist by day). But really, he will only open up if I ask him about his fantasy football team and whether the Celtics can get their mojo back and once he’s comfortable I can probe gently…

You could say “Pretty good, Mom. How was your day?”

It’s quite possible she wondering when you are going to actually say something like, “I found an apartment today!”

So you’re saying you were a complete asshole to your mom from at least age 6...

This is terrible advice. Even if they mumble “Nothing” they at least know that you care and that if anything ever does come up, they have an avenue to share it with you.

I think this overthinks it.

Boy, it’d be a shame if all the dissenting comments were never approved to show a different opinion. Sure makes me want to chime in.

I ask my kids every day-- Caveat.. I don’t ask the eight year old if he got busted when I know he got busted- I don’t want to create opportunities to catch him in a lie... But, my kids have become better communicators from this- It also teaches them to become empathetic. My kids ask how my day was-- How many meetings…

Not for nothing, but how often do you engage her and start a conversation about her day and interests?

I don’t have kids, but I’m not sure this is a good idea based on my own experiences. I love my mom, don’t get me wrong, but she was of the ‘no news is good news’ train of thought when I was growing up. I wasn’t a troublemaker and did well enough, parent teacher conferences were a “He’s a good student, well behaved” 2…

“Anything interesting happen today?”