Some Helpful Sentence Starters When Talking With Your Child

• What can I do for you?
• It isn’t fair, is it?
• Would you like to talk about it?
• What is the hardest part for you?
• You must be really angry/sad?
• How are you doing with all of this?
• I don’t know why it happened.
• I can’t imagine what you are going though.
• Please tell me what you are feeling.
• This must be very hard for you.
• I’m here and I want to listen.
• Take all the time you need.
• You must really be hurting.
• Thank you for sharing your feelings.

What NOT to say

• I know how you feel.
• You’re still young.
• It was God’s will.
• Call me, I can help.
• It all happened for the best.
• Something good will come out of this.
• He or she had a good life.
• Be strong.
• It’s time to put is behind you now.
• Don’t cry.