Chapter 1: The Struggles of Communication

My relationship with my daughter is decent, but like any family, we experience our share of tensions. At times, I feel like a cartoon character ready to explode in frustration. She tends to shut down quickly, believing I become upset with her easily, while I find myself frustrated by her lack of communication.

We find ourselves in a cycle of behavior that doesn't bring out the best in either of us, particularly when it comes to discussing significant aspects of her life. However, everything changed last Sunday...

While walking through the park, we casually chatted about ways to earn some pocket money. My wife suggested typical chores like cleaning the house or washing the car, but my daughter wasn't interested. I then threw out a new idea: "How about making money online?"

Her response was immediate; she paused and asked, "How would I do that?" I began to share various popular methods I had noticed, such as:

• Using AI to create coloring book pages and publishing them through Amazon.
• Designing Notion templates to sell on Gumtree.
• Crafting greeting cards to sell on Etsy.

She looked at me blankly and said, "Can I sell my old stuff on eBay?"

I explained, "No, that's not a sustainable business model. But you could try writing articles, like me. I made $53 this month..."

Her eyes lit up with curiosity. "You made money by writing? I do that every day in school! Tell me more about this..."

We talked about the topics I typically write about, but they didn't resonate with her. She shared her idea for a children's book featuring a princess who escapes from a cruel prince and finds herself in the company of a lumberjack. Despite her enthusiasm, I found the plot somewhat unengaging.

"Well, what could I write about?" she asked.

"Write about what you know," I replied. "Think of it as if you're talking to someone slightly younger than you. What insights could you share that might be valuable to them?"

"I don't think I have anything worthwhile to say," she responded.

"Okay, let's flip the perspective. If someone your age were writing to an older girl, what questions might they have? What worries do they carry? What advice might this older girl offer to help them?"

And then, the breakthrough occurred.

In that moment, she unlocked a treasure trove of ideas. I was astonished to hear her articulate the concerns she believed other girls her age might face, such as:

• Fears of bullying at school
• Concerns about weight and body image
• Anxiety about what others think of them
• Worries about fitting in and making friends

I was taken aback. While the topics themselves were typical for preteens, it was the first time she had openly shared her feelings with me. It was as if the act of thinking from a third-person perspective had liberated her thoughts.

We engaged in a profound conversation where she expressed her worries and how she had navigated some of these challenges. She began to realize how her experiences could be transformed into practical advice for others.

For a generation that spends so much time interacting online, they often struggle to have deep conversations. Since that day, we've discussed these topics frequently, and I've gained insights into her real-life struggles, which she previously found hard to articulate.

In the past, if she had approached me with a problem (which was unlikely), she might have dismissed my advice as irrelevant. However, framing her thoughts as advice to others opened a new avenue for communication between us.

Now, she's actively seeking guidance on navigating social situations, all while presenting it as advice for others, but I recognize it's really for her own benefit.

I've created a budding writer.

A curious, expressive writer.

As I write this, she's upstairs developing content plans, already generating three months' worth of ideas! Another aspiring writer is emerging in our family, ready to share her insights on experiences she's lived through.

She's still attached to that princess story, though. We definitely need to discuss her reliance on common plot devices.

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 2: How We Can Support Each Other

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