Tricky conversation 1

Mum: Jack, can I talk to you about something?

Jack: [nods]

Mum: It’s a little bit awkward ... but I’d like to talk to you about what you were looking at on the computer earlier. Is that OK?

Jack: Yeah.

Mum: Thanks. You know what I’m talking about – the website you were looking at earlier?

Jack: Yeah, uh ... Lachie sent me that. I don’t really look at those.

Mum: Well, that’s good to hear. I know there’s a lot of stuff online, including pornography, and I know that it’s only natural to be curious about it. But I am worried about what you might be seeing. And I’d like to talk about it further. Is that OK?

Jack: Uh-huh.

Mum: And I thought we might have a little chat about the computer rules too. OK?

Jack: Yeah, OK, Mum.

Tricky conversation 2

Dad: Did you get everything you need?

Mia: Yeah, I think so.

Dad: All right, let me know if there’s anything missing.

Mia: OK.

Dad: Thank you

Mia: Ow. My arm is so sore.

Dad: What happened?

Mia: Robbie hit me. He’s always hitting me.

Dad: Robbie? Robbie at school?

Mia: Yeah ... and he keeps telling everyone I’m smelly and stupid. I really hate it.

Dad: Did you tell anyone else about this?

Mia: No. I’m just waiting for him to stop. [Getting upset] But he’s not.

Dad: Well, I’m really glad you’re telling me. Let’s talk about it, eh?

Dad: When did this all start?

Mia: When we went to the zoo that time, for the school excursion.

Tricky conversation 3

Megan: Mum?

Mum: Yes, Megan?

Megan: Remember the party I went to last week?

Mum: Yep. Stacey’s, right?

Megan: Yeah. Well, there were a few kids there taking drugs, and ...

Mum: Drugs? Really? Sorry, go on.

Megan: Don’t freak out – I tried some. I didn’t like it, but the others said that they were going to get more ... anyway, I didn’t have any more.

Mum: But your friends did?

Megan: Yeah. There were older boys going around, offering it to people. I was actually pretty scared about it, but Stacey kept saying it was OK.

Mum: I’m really glad you told me about it, Megan. I’m a bit shocked, though. I’d like you to tell me more about what happened, and then I’d like us both to go and talk to Dad. OK, darling?