January 2023

40 Questions to Ask Your Parents Today

40 questions to ask your mom or dad to up-level your next conversation and unlock family stories and experiences.

by
Remento Staff

As a child, teenager, or young adult, it can be easy to take for granted the wealth of knowledge and life experience that your parents possess. However, taking the time to ask your parents questions and truly listen to their answers will not only deepen your relationship with them, but also give you valuable insights and perspective on your own life.

Ask meaningful questions to your parents and turn them into a hardcover book of stories with the Remento book.

40 Questions to Ask your Parents Today

  1. What was your most memorable childhood vacation?
  2. What was your most embarrassing moment from your teenage years?
  3. What was the most fun you ever had with your friends in high school or college?
  4. What was the best concert or live performance you ever attended?
  5. What was the best meal you ever had and where was it?
  6. What was the most adventurous trip you ever took?
  7. What was the most memorable birthday you ever had?
  8. What was the most memorable holiday you ever celebrated?
  9. What was the most memorable event you ever attended (e.g. wedding, graduation)?
  10. What was the most memorable gift you ever received and why?
  11. What was the most memorable class you took in school and why?
  12. What was the most memorable job you ever had and why?
  13. What was the most memorable sporting event you ever attended or participated in?
  14. What was the most memorable date you ever had?
  15. What was the most memorable movie or TV show you ever watched and why?
  16. What was the most memorable book you ever read and why?
  17. What was the most memorable vacation you ever took and why?
  18. What was the most memorable trip you ever took with your family?
  19. What was the most memorable trip you ever took with your friends?
  20. What was the most memorable trip you ever took with your significant other?
  21. What was the most memorable trip you ever took alone?
  22. What was the most memorable thing you ever did for someone else?
  23. What was the most memorable act of kindness someone else did for you?
  24. What was the most memorable gift you ever gave to someone and why?
  25. What was the most memorable time you faced a challenge or adversity and how did you overcome it?
  26. What was the most memorable time you had to make a difficult decision and how did you handle it?
  27. What was the most memorable time you felt proud of yourself and why?
  28. What was the most memorable time you felt grateful and why?
  29. What was the most memorable time you experienced a significant change in your life and how did you adapt?
  30. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of accomplishment and why?
  31. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of failure and how did you learn from it?
  32. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of loss and how did you cope?
  33. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of joy and why?
  34. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of love and why?
  35. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of fear and how did you handle it?
  36. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of curiosity and what did you learn?
  37. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of creativity and how did you express it?
  38. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of growth and how did it change you?
  39. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of connection with others and why?
  40. What was the most memorable time you experienced a sense of personal transformation and how did it impact your life?

Asking these questions and really listening to your parents' answers can help you gain a deeper understanding of their experiences, values, and advice. It can also provide you with valuable perspective and insights as you navigate your own life. So take some time to sit down with your parents and have a meaningful conversation today.

We’ve also just dropped two lists of deep questions to ask your mom and dad: 

Bonus: 10 Tips for the Conversation

1. Plan ahead: Make a list of specific questions you want to ask and consider the best time and place for the interview.
2. Create a comfortable environment: Choose a location that is quiet and free from distractions. Make sure your parent is comfortable and has everything they need (e.g. water, snacks).
3. Be respectful: Treat your parent as you would any other interview subject, with respect and professionalism. Avoid interrupting or talking over them, and show genuine interest in their responses.
4. Use open-ended questions: Rather than asking yes or no questions, try to ask open-ended questions that allow your parent to share more detailed stories and memories.
5. Be prepared for emotions: Depending on the topic of the interview, your parent may become emotional. Be prepared for this and allow them the space to express their feelings. It is important to be sensitive and supportive during these moments.
6. Record the interview: Consider recording the interview so you can listen to it again later and take notes.
7. Take breaks: Interviewing can be tiring, especially if your parent is sharing memories from a long time ago. It's important to take breaks as needed to give your parent time to rest and process their thoughts.
8. Encourage your parent to share stories: Encourage your parent to share stories and details about their experiences, rather than just giving you facts. This will help bring their memories to life and make the interview more engaging.
9. Follow up on interesting responses: If your parent says something that piques your interest, follow up with additional questions to learn more. This can help deepen your understanding and help your parent feel heard and valued.
10. Say thank you: Remember to thank your parent for taking the time to participate in the interview and for sharing their memories and insights with you. This can help strengthen your relationship and show your appreciation for their time and effort.

Want to document their answers?

With Remento, it's never been easier to collect your family's stories. Simply add these questions to your college graduate's Remento account. Each week, they'll be invited to record their answer from their favorite device - no downloads required. Then, Remento turns their recordings into written stories, each of which is printed into a hardcover, keepsake book. Read the book, or scan the QR codes within it to hear their voice. Learn more about Remento today.

Next up: Why Nostalgia and Reminiscing is Good for You

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