If you are blessed to still have a parent or caregiver alive I encourage you to interview them about their life, and to record the conversation.
Keep in mind If you don’t feel like you know them well or don’t feel that you have a great connection with them this can be a fun exercise that could help you become closer.
I hope getting the answers to these questions helps you get to know your loved ones even better. If your parents are like mine and resist the idea of you recording them, try to talk them into it. Capturing them on video answering the questions you ask is a way you will forever cherish the time you got to spend getting to know them better.
Shockingly, I had to promise my parents that I wouldn’t share the videos I captured with anyone until they both passed.
With their permission perhaps you too could share their message with your children and future generations.
I did this with my Mom & Dad at my home and really enjoyed the experience. Some of their answers really surprised me and saddened me at the same time.
I hope that you take the opportunity to do this with your parents. I promise you that after you do this you’ll get to know your loved ones even better.
XOXO Tana
Below are some questions to ask to get you a peek behind your parents.
1. What comes to mind when you think about growing up in your hometown?
2. What did you love to do as a kid, before high school?
3. What did you love to do in high school?
4. What do you remember most about your teenage years?
5. What do you remember most about your mom (grandma)?
6. What was most important to her?
7. What do you remember most about your dad (grandpa)?
8. What was most important to him?
9. If grandma and grandpa had a message to you and their grandchildren, what do you think it is?
10. How did you meet [spouse] and know (s)he was the one?
11. How did you choose your career and what was your favorite part about it?
12. What made you successful at work?
13. What did you believe about yourself that helped you become successful and deal with hard times?
14. What times in your life truly “tested your mettle,” and what did you learn about yourself by dealing (or not dealing) with them?
15. What three events most shaped your life?
16. What do you remember about when each of your children was born?
17. Were you ever scared to be a parent?
18. What three words would you say represented your approach to parenting and why?
19. When you think about your [sibling] how would you describe him or her?
20. When you think about [spouse], how would you describe her/him?
21. What message do you have for [spouse] that you want her/him to always keep in mind?
22. What have you learned about other people in life?
23. What do you think the world needs more of right now?
24. What do you believe people want the most in life?
25. What are you most proud of in life?
26. What message would you like to share with your family?
27. What are you most thankful for?
