Family Stories: Questions that Spark Meaningful Conversations
Preserving your family stories can be incredibly meaningful, not just for you, but for future generations. Where do you start? Down below is a list of 20 thoughtful questions to help you launch meaningful conversations whenever the younger and older generations in your family gather together, be it on the drive to school or a holiday dinner for the extended family.
The re-telling and passing down of real-life experiences — both good and bad — can help build resilience in children and grandchildren as they age and face their own opportunities and challenges, while also bringing family members closer together and supporting the family legacy.
Capturing and preserving the answers to these questions can create a family record that you all can add to over time. There is no one way to do this. You could create a simple handwritten journal. Or record answers using voice-to-text to create a digital document (or type in the answers yourself). You could also include photos, keepsakes and drawings from kids, grandkids or other relatives to create a scrapbook.
As a fun exercise, ask everyone what they think the family motto and/or crest should be and why. After arriving at a consensus, include that motto and/or crest on the document with the family stories and a brief statement about why it was chosen.
Childhood & Family Life
- What is your earliest memory?
- What was your childhood home and hometown like?
- Did you have any pets? What were they?
- What were your favorite games or activities as a child?
- What traditions did your family have when you were growing up, and is there one you hope continues?
School & Education
- What were you like as a student? Did you have a favorite teacher or subject?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- How did you spend your summer breaks as a kid?
Young Adulthood
- What was your first job?
- How did you meet your closest friends? Are you still in touch with any of them?
- What was dating like when you were younger?
- How did you meet [Mom/Dad or partner]? What was your first impression?
Work & Life
- What was the most important lesson you learned in your career?
- What accomplishment are you most proud of?
- Did you ever have a turning point in your life? A moment that changed everything?
- What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced, and how did you overcome them?
Wisdom & Legacy
Is there anything you’ve never told me, but would like to share now?
What advice would you give your younger self?
What do you wish people today understood about life that they might not?
What do you hope future generations remember about you?
