Family
12 questions to ask your parents about their life
MO
Maya Okafor
· 6 min read
The stories you never thought to ask about, from their childhood to the day you were born.
Before you start
Most of us know our parents as parents. These questions go further back, to who they were before you and what they learned along the way.
Their childhood
- 1What did you want to be when you were my age?
- 2What was your favourite thing to eat growing up?
- 3What song takes you straight back to being young?
- 4What’s the naughtiest thing you did as a kid?
Becoming a parent
- 5What’s a memory of me as a kid you still think about?
- 6What surprised you most about being a parent?
- 7What did your own parents get right?
- 8What are you proud of from before I was born?
What they’ve learned
- 9What do you wish you’d known at my age?
- 10Is there something you’ve wanted to tell me but haven’t?
- 11What do you hope I carry forward from you?
- 12How can I be there for you more?
Play these as cards
The Parent deck deals one question at a time and adapts to your answers.
FAQ
What if a question brings up something painful?
Let them decide how much to share. You can always come back to it another time.
Should I record the conversation?
Ask first. Many families are glad they did.