3 Wild Questions To Ask Part 1
If you’re brave enough, I double-dog dare you to ask your child this wild question today: If the roles were reversed and you could ground me, what would I have done to deserve it, and what would my punishment be?
Recently, my 16-year-old and I were talking about the funny things he did as a little kid that used to get him into trouble. In the middle of the conversation, I decided to do something a little scary but incredibly insightful. I asked him that question.
He gave me a big, ornery grin, then paused. And in that pause, I realized I had accidentally stumbled into a treasure-hunting moment. I was on pins and needles waiting for what he’d say, sensing that whatever it was would give me a glimpse into the young man he’s becoming.
Finally, he broke the silence and said, “Let’s start with the punishment. I would for sure take away Dateline and your Celsius drinks.” We both burst out laughing. He felt creative and empowered. I felt so basic and so seen. My evening true crime ritual and morning energy drink? Nailed it.
I leaned in and asked, “Okay, so what would I have to do to deserve such a harsh punishment?”
He thought for a moment and said, “Honestly, I think it would be any moment that disappointed me.” That answer surprised me. It was more mature and thoughtful than I expected. I pressed a little further, asking what that might look like, and he replied, “If you were to drink and drive or put others in danger, I’d ground you for a solid 30 days.”
I was stunned, not by the length of the grounding, but by the depth of his answer. I thought I’d be grounded for embarrassing him in public or losing my keys for the twelfth time. But instead, he gave me insight into who he is. In that moment, I saw another layer of growth unfold before my eyes, remembering I am raising a man.
So now I wonder what would you discover if you asked this question? What would your child say, and what might you learn—not just about them, but about yourself?
Asking good questions has become one of my favorite ways to connect with my kids. I always think I’m going to learn something about them, but I end up learning just as much about me.
Treasure hunting isn’t a one-time event. As our kids grow, so does the treasure. Their thoughts deepen, their humor sharpens, and their values evolve. When we stay curious and keep asking thoughtful—even wild—questions, we remind them that we’re not just their parent, we’re their safe place. Over time, these small conversations build something lasting: trust, connection, and clarity.
So stay tuned. This was just question one. Two more wild questions are coming in the next posts in this series, each one designed to help you treasure hunt through laughter, honesty, and heart-level connection.
