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Questions to Ask Your Parents
Meaningful prompts to capture their wisdom, stories, and life lessons before they're lost. Turn everyday conversations into lasting memories.
Interview Tips
How to Use These Questions
Pick one question per conversation—don't overwhelm
Record the answer immediately or take notes right after
Let them wander off-topic—the tangents are often gold
Ask 'Tell me more about that' to go deeper
Respect boundaries—skip anything they're uncomfortable with
Make it regular: one story per visit adds up fast
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Childhood & Growing Up
- 1What's your earliest memory?
- 2Tell me about the house you grew up in and your neighborhood
- 3Who was your best friend as a kid, and what adventures did you have?
- 4What were your favorite games or activities?
- 5What was a typical Saturday like when you were 10?
- 6What's something you got in trouble for that still makes you smile?
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Family & Relationships
- 1How did you and [spouse/partner] meet? What attracted you to them?
- 2What's your favorite memory of your parents or grandparents?
- 3Tell me about a family tradition and how it got started
- 4What was the best advice your parents ever gave you?
- 5Who in the family had the biggest personality, and what made them memorable?
- 6What's a story about our family that should never be forgotten?
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Work & Career
- 1What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
- 2What career are you most proud of, and why?
- 3Tell me about a boss or colleague who shaped how you work
- 4What's the hardest thing you've had to do professionally?
- 5If you could go back, would you choose the same career path?
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Life Lessons & Wisdom
- 1What's a mistake you made that taught you something valuable?
- 2What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
- 3What's the best advice you ever received?
- 4Tell me about a time you were scared but did it anyway
- 5What do you know now that you wish you knew earlier?
- 6What does a good life look like to you?
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Values & Beliefs
- 1What values are most important to you, and why?
- 2Tell me about a time your faith or beliefs were tested
- 3What do you think makes a good person?
- 4How has your worldview changed as you've gotten older?
- 5What do you want your grandchildren to believe about the world?
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Legacy & Future
- 1What do you hope people remember about you?
- 2What are you most proud of in your life?
- 3What's something you wish you had done differently?
- 4What do you want your children/grandchildren to know after you're gone?
- 5If you could leave one message for the future, what would it be?
Start Capturing Their Stories
Use these questions to preserve your parents' wisdom before it's too late. Every conversation is a gift to future generations.