Holidays have always been the time to look at photos, prank uncles and learn how to whip up grandmother’s award-winning Sweet Potato sauce. While we spend much of the time looking back on those memories, for some they bring joy but for the younger family members, it can often bring questions. As we sit down for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner this year encourage the grandkids to ask their grandparents questions. If the children don’t quite have ideas of questions to ask, encourage each family member to ask questions to the older members in the family. This could be a great time to learn how your family and traditions came to be and to pass them down to the next generation.
While it’s easy to come up with close-ended, yes or no questions in order to stir up a dialogue with everyone here are some open-ended questions to help everyone in the family.
- What were you like growing up? Fashion Style? Interest?
- What music, movies, and books were you into?
- What was your first home like?
- What did your mother and father do for a living?
- What’s your favorite holiday memory?
- If you could change any decision in your past, what would it be?
- How did you and grandma/grandpa meet? Did you have a love interest before grandma/grandpa?
- Is there anything you have always wanted to do but haven’t?
- What is the most important lesson that your parents taught you?
- What is your dream for your children and grandchildren?
The greatest thing that people can leave behind is there memories and wisdom. We hope that these questions can inspire some great conversations and create a lasting memory for all generations.