Parent-Child Communication Basics: An Education Program to Enhance Parent-Child Communication

As parents, we sometimes are so busy taking care of our children that we lose track of some of the details of their lives. This activity will help to make us aware of how much—or how little—we know about our sons or daughters.

Directions: With pen in hand, see how many of the following questions you can answer. Don't be surprised if you get stumped along the way. Ask your son or daughter at the same time to fill out the worksheet, How Well Do You Know Your Parents? When you're both finished, exchange and discuss the answers with each other.

1. What is your daughter's/son's favorite game or sport?
2. What is your son's/daughter's height (within one inch)?
3. Who is your daughter's/son's closest friend?
4. If your son/daughter could do anything he/she chose for a day, what would it be?
5. What is your daughter's/son's favorite TV show? Favorite character?
6. What was the last movie your son/daughter saw?
7. What is your daughter's/son's favorite food?
8. What is your son's/daughter's favorite thing to do after school?
9. Would your daughter/son rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car?
10. Who is your son's/daughter's favorite singer or musical group?
11. If your daughter/son had a choice to have a pet, what would it be?
12. Which would your son/daughter rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean his/her room, or vacuum the house?
13. Do your daughter's/son's friends call her/him by a nickname? If so, what is it?
14. In the evening, would your son/daughter rather play a game with the family, go to visit a relative, or read in his/her room?
15. What was the last problem your daughter/son brought to you for help?
16. What gift would your son/daughter most like to receive?
17. What does your daughter/son do that she/he is proud of?

Summary: If you get more than 15 right, congratulations … you really know your daughter/son! From 11 to 15? Not bad, but try to pay a little more attention. Fewer than 11? Better spend a little time catching up on what's new with her or him.

Adapted with permission from Family Connections, guidebooks for parents, produced by the Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, Family Health Council, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA.