Exploring Repair Through Discussions
The following questions are designed to be used at a family gathering, most often a meal, but also during a quiet moment in the living room, before a board game night, or while driving in the car. This section strengthens the bonds within a family as members learn more about each other by asking and answering evocative questions.
How To Go About It
The most straightforward way to do this is simply to have an adult read off the questions they think will resonate the most with family members and have everyone take turns answering.
Another fun way to do this is to create a family question jar. You can have family members choose a question a few times each week.
Discussion Questions
- How many broken-and-repaired bones have they been in your family so far?
- When you have a friend or family member who is feeling sad or hurt, what is your favorite way of helping them feel better?
- What have you learned about making apologies? When you hurt a friend’s feelings what is one thing you make sure to say and one thing you make sure not to say?
- Do you think creatures other than humans can experience a broken heart?
- What is something you plan to repair over and over so you can hold on to it as long as possible? For instance, a piece of clothing? Or a beloved doll or toy?
- Have you ever wanted to repair something all by yourself, but people kept trying to repair it for you?
- When you are feeling bad, do you most often prefer a hug, advice, someone who just listens, or to be left alone for a little bit? Or something else?
- Why do you think people are sometimes afraid to let other people know they are sad or hurting?
- Are you hurting right now in your body, mind, or heart? What kind of repair and healing might you most need?
- If you could repair or fix one part of our society, what would it be?
- Is there any difference between the way adults try to heal things and the way kids try to heal things?
- Do you think animals can help us heal? Why or why not?
- What would you say or do for a friend that just lost their pet?
- Has nature ever helped you repair or feel better?
- How does it feel when someone tries to repair something that you don’t think needs repairing? What do you do when that happens?
- What do you do to repair and make yourself feel better? (create art, listen to music, dance, take a walk, etc.)