How do I ask personal or sensitive questions, like those related to health, without offending the child or his or her family?
Discussing personal issues requires great sensitivity, particularly when communicating through letters and across cultures, and when the questions deal with health matters, which can often carry strong cultural stigmas. Whether or not you should ask a particular question depends on your relationship with the child and the nature of the question. If you are uncertain, please consider delaying the question until you have built a stronger relationship with the child or have a better understanding of the culture. Invite your child into a deeply personal relationship by modeling trust and honesty. Share with your child first. Allow him or her to see your courage and to take the first step. Remember you are a mentor. Show your child you care by being patient, open, inviting and, most important, involved.
