I speak in prisons often. Someone asked me how I speak to prisoners when I don’t have anything in common with the prisoners. I told them every prisoner had a mother, and so did I. This common ground unites us all. When I talk to prisoners, I mention my mom and theirs.
When I talk to high school students, I empathize with them and tell them I know their mom gets on their nerves. I inform them that they get on their mom's nerves too. It's mutual. When I talk to students, I mention my mom and theirs.