Plan how to talk with your kids about a hard topic

Get age-appropriate words, likely questions and gentle answers for conversations about loss, divorce, puberty, online safety and more.

The problem

Some conversations are hard to start: a grandparent dying, parents separating, puberty, scary news, or what to do if someone online makes them uncomfortable. Parents want to get it right and often put it off because they don't know what to say.

Step by step

1. 1Decide the topic and what your child already knows. Don't share names, school details or other identifying information; "my 8-year-old" is enough.
2. 2Open ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini and paste the prompt below.
3. 3Read the suggested words out loud and change them so they sound like you and match your family's values and beliefs.
4. 4Pick a calm time (car rides and walks work well), keep it short, and let your child lead with questions. It is fine to say "I don't know, but I'll find out."
5. 5Follow up a few days later. For anything involving safety, self-harm, abuse, or ongoing anxiety or sadness, talk to your pediatrician or school counselor. In a crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911.

Copy-paste prompt

I need to talk with my [age]-year-old about [topic]. What they already know: [details]. Our family's values or beliefs to respect: [optional]. Help me prepare: (1) a short, age-appropriate way to start the conversation, in simple words; (2) the 5 questions they are most likely to ask, with honest, gentle answers at their level; (3) things to avoid saying; (4) signs they might need extra support afterward; (5) one or two well-known books or resources for this age, if appropriate. Keep it warm and practical. Remind me when a professional (pediatrician, counselor) would be a good next step.

Tips and watch-outs

• Don't share identifying details about your child or family.
• AI is not a counselor. For safety concerns, abuse, self-harm, or lasting anxiety or sadness, contact your pediatrician or school counselor. In a crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.
• Adapt the words to your family's values and beliefs; you know your child best.

Review AI output before using it. Don’t paste confidential, customer or patient data into tools your company hasn’t approved.