Beyond ‘How Was School?’: Fostering the Open Communication That Prevents Burnout

To truly understand if a child is struggling with academic pressure, parents need to go beyond the superficial question, “How was school?” A clinical psychologist explains how to foster a deeper level of open communication that allows parents to detect early signs of burnout and provide meaningful support.
Clinical psychologist Meghna Kanwat emphasizes that a strong parent-child relationship, built on “open communication [and] emotional responsiveness,” is the foundation of burnout prevention. This requires creating an environment where a child feels safe to be vulnerable and share their true feelings.
Instead of generic questions, try more specific and open-ended ones, such as, “What was the most challenging part of your day?” or “Was there anything that made you feel stressed today?” These questions invite more than a one-word answer and show a genuine interest in their emotional experience.
Active listening is just as important as asking the right questions. When your child is talking, put away distractions, make eye contact, and listen to understand, not just to reply. Validate their feelings with phrases like, “That does sound really frustrating,” before jumping to solutions. This act of validation makes them feel heard and respected.
By consistently creating these opportunities for genuine connection, parents can stay attuned to their child’s emotional state. This allows them to spot the subtle shifts—like growing cynicism or fatigue—that signal the onset of burnout. This deep, trusting communication is the early detection system that can make all the difference.