I read this entry over at The Shepherds Scrapbook (great blog by the way) and was encouraged by the post and encouraged that these type of questions have been a part of my efforts to raise our five kids. I would add that taking them out to Mc Donald’s (or anything they like that you can stomach) or even just to Baskin Robbins where they are away from home will oftentimes open them up as they are in a neutral setting where common distractions and default behaviors are eliminated. They’ll appreciate the time, the treat, and the opportunity to answer freely in an environment where there is hopefully no active conflict that they are dealing with.
Here are a few additional questions you might consider. Try it out if you have not and comment here on how it went. I might add, I’ve done this with ours since they were old enough to talk. You will want to establish the open lines of communication early so that it has always been, and will always be the common practice of your relationships within the home.
What conflicts are you and your brothers/sisters having when Mom and I aren’t around?
How is your heart towards your brothers and sisters?
Do you think your mom or I show favoritism towards one of your siblings? If so in what ways?
How’s your relationship with Mom? How is she doing as a mom?
What is God showing you about the way He made you?
What can I do better in leading the family to love God and love each other?
