22/06/2026
“Don’t call it a difficult conversation. Call it a tender one.”
That simple reframe from Dr Kathryn Mannix, physician, global campaigner and bestselling author of With the End in Mind and Listen, stopped a room full of people in their tracks at our live Club Sandwich event in Sydney.
We often put off conversations with our parents about ageing, care, decision-making and what matters most because we expect them to be difficult. We brace ourselves. We put our armour on.
But Kathryn sees it differently.
These conversations aren't difficult. They're tender.
The challenge isn't finding the right words. It's making space for the emotions that come with them. When we approach these moments with openness instead of armour, the conversation changes.
Five insights that stayed with us:
💛 Tender, not difficult. The words we choose shape the way we show up.
💛 Take the armour off. Bring curiosity, patience and humility.
💛 Ask the question, then be quiet. Longer than feels comfortable.
💛 Hand the authority back. "Mum, I've got something on my mind that's worrying me. Can you help me think it through?"
💛 Never start with "at least". Instead, try "tell me more".
The conversations we avoid are often some of the most important and loving conversations we'll ever have.
📌 Save this for the conversation you've been putting off.
💬 Tag the sibling, partner or friend you need to have it with.
🎧 Episode 19: Tender Conversations, live with Dr Kathryn Mannix. Out now. Link in the comments.
Proudly brought to you by NSW Trustee & Guardian, helping families across NSW make a will, plan ahead and protect the people they love.
