1. A teacher once told me that question lets us dodge truth. When parents ask it, we grab ready words like “They’re progressing,” or “They’re adjusting.” It sounds calm, but means nothing. What cracks the mask are questions built to corner specifics, not comfort. 2. Ask “What does my child avoid?” Avoidance exposes the real fault line — shame, not laziness. A child who skips reading isn’t careless, they fear being seen failing. Once you hear what they avoid, you know where the emotional choke po