Get to know your tween or teenager. This week Young Observer asks its readers just how well you know your son or daughter; grandson or granddaughter; nephew or niece ...

Here are some of the best “get to know your teenager” conversation ice-breakers.

1. Create a topic jar

2. Ask open-ended questions

3. Talk about topics they like

4. Listen more than you speak

5. Be patient with your teen

6. Put yourself in their shoes

99 Questions

1. Who is your hero and why?

2. Do you have a favourite movie?

3. What music makes you particularly happy?

4. How do you handle stress?

5. Do you think our family has enough money?

6. What is your favourite book this year?

7. What do you dream about?

8. What really makes you angry and why?

9. What makes you most afraid?

10. What is your favourite colour?

11. What are the best and worst things about having a smart phone?

12. Do you think I treat you and your siblings fairly?

13. What makes you laugh?

14. What do you think of bullying?

15. Do you believe in soul mates and true love?

16. Have you thought about what career or job you want to have?

17. What are your thoughts on marriage?

18. Do you think of yourself as religious or spiritual?

19. What do you wish you knew how to do that you can’t right now?

20. What subjects in school do you enjoy learning about?

21. Do you consider yourself more introverted or extroverted?

22. Do you think you’re more creative or practical?

23. How important is family to you?

24. When you have free time what do you enjoy doing?

25. What motivates you the most?

26. Do you have a celebrity crush?

27. Who is your favourite band or solo artist?

28. What is the coolest app I don’t have on my phone?

29. How would you describe my parenting style?

30. What do you think of politics in Bermuda?

31. Which is your favourite TV show at the moment?

32. What do you see yourself doing in five years? Ten years?

33. What do you do when you feel bored?

34. Do you find it easy to make friends or difficult?

35. Are there parts of your body you like or really dislike?

36. Do you feel like you procrastinate?

37. Do you feel like a responsible young adult?

38. If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?

39. What’s your favourite app on your phone?

40. Who is your best friend?

41. Do you have a role model?

42. What do you think about tattoos? Piercings?

43. What are your goals for this year?

44. As a parent do I ever embarrass you?

45. What are your favourite family traditions?

46. When you get older who will you vote for and why?

47. Is family meal time with you important?

48. What qualities do you admire in other people?

49. How would you describe your own personality?

50. What are the things that adults don’t get about your generation?

51. What would you do with a million dollars?

52. Is it important for you to vote?

53. What do you think you should learn more of at school?

54. Do you wish there were any other extracurricular activities?

55. Who is the funniest person you know and why?

56. Who do you wish you were more like?

57. Would you choose a different name for yourself?

58. What do you wish you knew more about me?

59. What do you think about social status and popularity?

60. Do you think it’s OK to lie?

61. Do you remember your dreams?

62. How important do you think is physical appearance?

63. What do you think makes a good friend?

64. Do you think you have any bad habits?

65. Who is your favourite teacher?

66. Do other children in school cheat on their tests or assignments? What do you think about that?

67. What are your thoughts on teen alcohol use?

68. Do you know children at your school that smoke? What do you think about that?

69. Do you think marijuana should be legal?

70. Do you agree with the current legal age of drinking?

71. Have children or adults offered you alcohol, cigarettes or drugs before? How did you handle the situation?

72. Do you think coffee and caffeine are drugs?

73. Would you ever be worried about being addicted to drugs or alcohol? What do you think it means to be addicted?

74. What could I do to make you feel more supported?

75. What qualities would you look for in a potential partner?

76. Do you have any pet peeves?

77. What’s your favourite family recipe?

78. Is being fit and exercising important to you?

79. What do you think about the most during each day?

80. Who do you think knows you best?

81. Do you think it’s important to speak and understand other languages?

82. Is there a language you want to learn?

83. Do you think people can watch too much TV?

84. What do you think about politics?

85. Would you want to be famous?

86. Have you ever been made fun of at school?

87. Do things ever make you jealous? How do you handle those feelings?

88. Do you want to have children one day?

89. What sports interest you?

90. What experiences do you think have impacted your life thus far?

91. What are your favourite childhood memories?

92. Which choices have taught you the biggest lessons?

93. What is your earliest memory?

94. What are you afraid of?

95. If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be?

96. What do you think it means to be “male” or “female”?

97. What animal represents you the best?

98. Do you consider yourself a leader?

99. What would be your perfect day?

Source: care.com, psychologytoday.com