Global : Ideas : Bank - Listening with affection and excitement

Ouch. As we used to say - Convicted!: "And don't say, 'How was school today, dear?' which really means: 'Please entertain me (mama) who is mentally totally lazy at the moment with not one witty or interesting thing to offer, and please give me an interesting and stimulating account of high marks.'
"
I start most 'just-got-home' conversations with "how was school today."
The rest of the article is about active listening...