[header] How to respond to someone describing a hard childhood [title] Limit distractions and interruptions. [step] When someone is sharing something as personal as the details of a difficult childhood the last thing you want is a phone constantly ringing, beeping, and buzzing. And the last thing they want is to have to repeat a painful detail because you were distracted. 
Do what you can to remove any distractions and limit interruptions so the person feels comfortable talking with you. [substeps] If you know in advance they'll be telling you something personal, eliminate distractions and possible interruptions in advance.