For use in family meetings, check-ins, or quiet conversations
Families often want to connect, but don't know how to start.
The wrong question can shut someone down.
The right one can open the door to trust, vulnerability, and recovery.
These questions are designed to disarm shame and spark truth.
1. What's one thing you're proud of from this past week?
(Small wins count. Effort matters more than outcome.)
2. What's been feeling heavy lately?
(You don't have to fix it. Just listen.)
3. Where are you feeling more like yourself again?
(Name progress without demanding proof.)
4. What's something you need more of right now?
(Space, encouragement, clarity, structure?)
5. What's one thing you've learned about yourself this month?
(Growth is more important than perfection.)
6. What part of recovery feels hardest for you today?
(Create room for honesty without reaction.)
7. What's a boundary that's helped you feel safe?
(Reinforce that boundaries are gifts, not punishments.)
8. What's something you've been carrying that you're ready to set down?
(Resentment, guilt, pressure, fear?)
9. What's one thing we could do differently in this family moving forward?
(Empower change instead of recycling blame.)
10. What feels different now compared to a year ago?
(Reflect on the journey. Name what's real. Honor what's changed.)
Tips for Using These Questions:
- Don't force answers. Let silence breathe.
- Use one or two questions at a time.
- Let each person respond without cross-talk or correction.
- Focus on curiosity, not compliance.
- If someone says, "I don't know," that's okay. Ask, "What do you feel?"
These conversations are not about control.
They're about connection.
Let the questions lead you back to one another—gently.