Questions to ask
The questions families wish they had asked.
Every question from the Tell Me Your Story journals. Pick one, ask it this week, and write down the answer.
Who are you asking?
Theme
264 questions
Childhood
- When and where were you born? What do you know about the day you arrived?Grandpa
- What were your parents like? Describe each of them in a few words.Grandpa · Grandma
- What is the very first thing you can remember?Grandpa · Grandma
- What did the house you grew up in look, sound and smell like?Grandpa · Grandma
- Did you have brothers or sisters? What were they like as children?Grandpa · Grandma
- What was a normal day like for your family when you were small?Grandpa
- What did your family eat for dinner most nights? What was your favourite meal?Grandpa
- What games did you play, and who did you play them with?Grandpa · Grandma
- Were you ever in trouble as a boy? Tell me about one time.Grandpa
- Who was the grown-up you looked up to most as a child, and why?Grandpa
- When and where were you born? What were you told about the day you arrived?Grandma
- What was a normal day like for your family when you were a little girl?Grandma
- What did your mother cook that you still remember the taste of?Grandma
- Were you a good girl, a clever girl or a mischievous one? Tell me about a time.Grandma
- Which grown-up did you look up to most as a child, and why?Grandma
- When and where were you born? What's the story of the day you arrived?Dad · Mom
- What were your parents like when you were small?Dad · Mom
- What is your earliest memory?Dad · Mom
- Describe the home you grew up in. What was your room like?Dad · Mom
- Who were your brothers, sisters or closest cousins, and what were they like?Dad · Mom
- What did your family do together on weekends?Dad
- What was your favourite toy, game or thing to do outside?Dad
- What was the first thing you remember getting into real trouble for?Dad
- What smells, sounds or foods take you straight back to your childhood?Dad · Mom
- What did you want to be when you grew up, and why?Dad · Mom
- What did your family do together on weekends and holidays?Mom
- What was your favourite toy, doll, book or game?Mom
- Were you a quiet girl, a busy girl or a bossy one? Tell me a story.Mom
School days
- What was your school like? How did you get there each morning?Grandpa · Grandma
- Which subject did you love, and which one did you dread?Grandpa · Grandma
- Tell me about a teacher you still remember.Grandpa · Grandma
- Who was your best friend at school? What did you get up to together?Grandpa · Grandma
- Were you a good student, a clever one, or a cheeky one?Grandpa
- What did you want to be when you grew up?Grandpa
- What did you do in the summer holidays?Grandpa · Grandma
- What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?Grandpa · Grandma
- What music, films or radio shows did you love as a boy?Grandpa
- What is one thing you learned at school that you still use today?Grandpa · Grandma
- What did you dream of becoming when you grew up?Grandma
- What songs, films or radio shows did you love as a girl?Grandma
- What did girls your age wear, and what did you wish you could wear?Grandma
- What were you like as a student?Dad · Mom
- Which subject came easily to you, and which one never did?Dad · Mom
- Tell me about a teacher who made a difference to you.Dad · Mom
- Who was your best friend growing up? Are you still in touch?Dad · Mom
- Did you play any sports or music? Were you any good?Dad
- What was the worst trouble you got into at school?Dad
- What did you and your friends do after school?Dad · Mom
- What were you most proud of in your school years?Dad · Mom
- What was the most embarrassing moment of your school days?Dad · Mom
- What do you wish someone had told you back then?Dad · Mom
- Did you dance, play music or play a sport? Tell me about it.Mom
- What was the naughtiest thing you ever did?Mom
Growing up
- What was the world like when you were a teenager?Grandpa · Grandma
- What did you and your friends do for fun on a weekend?Grandpa · Grandma
- What was your first job, and how much did it pay?Grandpa · Grandma
- What did you buy with your first real wages?Grandpa
- What was the bravest or most foolish thing you did as a young man?Grandpa
- What did your clothes and hair look like back then?Grandpa
- Where was the first place you travelled far from home?Grandpa · Grandma
- Did you learn to drive? Tell me about your first car or bicycle.Grandpa
- What did your parents worry about most when you were young?Grandpa · Grandma
- If you could go back and tell your young self one thing, what would it be?Grandpa · Grandma
- What did you buy with your very first wages?Grandma
- What was the bravest or most daring thing you did as a young woman?Grandma
- What did your clothes and hair look like back then? Did you have a favourite outfit?Grandma
- What did you think your life would look like at forty?Grandma
- What were you like as a teenager? Be honest.Dad · Mom
- What music did you blast when no one else was home?Dad
- Tell me about your first crush.Dad · Mom
- What was your first car, bike or way of getting around?Dad
- What rules did your parents have that you broke?Dad · Mom
- What was the most adventurous thing you did before you turned twenty?Dad
- What did your hair and clothes look like? Were you proud of them?Dad
- Who were you trying to be like back then?Dad
- What was a big disappointment in those years, and how did you get over it?Dad
- When did you first feel like a grown-up?Dad · Mom
- What music, posters and fashion filled your room?Mom
- What was the most daring thing you did before you turned twenty?Mom
- Who were your role models back then?Mom
- What did you and your mother agree on, and argue about?Mom
- What was a big heartbreak or disappointment, and how did you get through it?Mom
- What did you think your life would look like at thirty?Mom
Work and purpose
- What kinds of work have you done in your life?Grandpa
- Which job made you proudest, and why?Grandpa
- What was the hardest day of work you ever had?Grandpa · Grandma
- Who taught you the most about working hard?Grandpa · Grandma
- Was there a job you wanted but never got to do?Grandpa
- What skill are you proudest of having learned?Grandpa · Grandma
- Tell me about a mistake at work that taught you something.Grandpa
- What did a good day's work feel like to you?Grandpa
- How did you and the family get by when money was tight?Grandpa
- What would you tell me about choosing the work I do?Grandpa · Grandma
- What kinds of work have you done in your life, inside and outside the home?Grandma
- Which work made you proudest, and why?Grandma
- Was there something you wanted to do but never had the chance to?Grandma
- How did you manage when money was tight?Grandma
- What did people come to you for help with?Grandma
- How did the world treat working women when you were young?Grandma
- What was your very first job? How did you get it?Dad · Mom
- What did you spend your first paycheque on?Dad · Mom
- How did you end up doing the work you do?Dad · Mom
- Who taught you the most about work and responsibility?Dad
- What is the proudest moment of your working life so far?Dad · Mom
- Tell me about a time you failed, and what you learned from it.Dad · Mom
- Was there another path you almost took?Dad · Mom
- What does a good day at work look like for you?Dad
- What do you still want to do or achieve?Dad
- What would you tell me about choosing my own path?Dad · Mom
- Who believed in you when you needed it most?Mom
- How have you balanced work, family and yourself?Mom
- What do you still want to do or achieve, just for you?Mom
Love
- How did you meet Grandma? What did you notice first?Grandpa
- What was your first date like?Grandpa · Grandma
- When did you know she was the one?Grandpa · Dad
- How did you propose, or how did you decide to spend your lives together?Grandpa
- Tell me about your wedding day.Grandpa
- Where was your first home together? What was in it?Grandpa · Grandma
- What is a small, everyday thing you love about her?Grandpa
- What was the hardest time you went through together, and how did you get through it?Grandpa · Grandma
- What makes a marriage last, in your experience?Grandpa · Grandma
- What is your favourite memory of the two of you?Grandpa · Grandma
- How did you meet Grandpa? What did you notice first?Grandma
- When did you know he was the one?Grandma · Mom
- How did he propose, or how did you decide to spend your lives together?Grandma
- Tell me about your wedding day. What did you wear?Grandma
- What is a small, everyday thing you love about him?Grandma
- How did you and Mom meet? Tell it your way.Dad
- What did you notice about her first?Dad
- What was your first date like? Did it go to plan?Dad · Mom
- How did you propose, or how did you decide to build a life together?Dad
- What was your first home together like?Dad · Mom
- What was the hardest time you went through as a couple?Dad · Mom
- What do you love most about her?Dad
- What have you learned about love since you met her?Dad
- What is your favourite memory of the two of you before I was born?Dad · Mom
- How did you and Dad meet? Tell it your way.Mom
- What did you notice about him first?Mom
- How did he propose, or how did you decide to build a life together?Mom
- What do you love most about him?Mom
- What have you learned about love since you met him?Mom
Family
- How did you feel when you found out you would be a father?Grandpa
- What do you remember about the day your first child was born?Grandpa · Grandma
- What was my parent like as a baby and a little child?Grandpa · Grandma
- What was the funniest thing one of your children ever said or did?Grandpa · Grandma
- What family traditions did you start?Grandpa
- What were holidays and birthdays like in your house?Grandpa · Grandma
- What was the hardest part of being a father?Grandpa
- What did you try to do differently from your own father?Grandpa
- What is a moment with your children you will never forget?Grandpa · Grandma
- What are you proudest of about your children?Grandpa · Grandma
- How did you feel when you heard you were going to be a grandpa?Grandpa
- What do you remember about the first time you held me?Grandpa · Grandma
- What was I like as a baby and a little child?Grandpa · Grandma
- What is the funniest thing I ever said or did?Grandpa · Grandma
- What do you love doing with your grandchildren?Grandpa · Grandma
- How is being a grandpa different from being a father?Grandpa
- What do you hope I remember about you?Grandpa · Grandma
- What do you see in me that reminds you of yourself, or of someone in our family?Grandpa · Grandma
- What is your favourite memory with me so far?Grandpa · Grandma
- What would you like us to do together that we haven't done yet?Grandpa · Grandma
- How did you feel when you found out you would be a mother?Grandma
- What lullabies or stories did you give your children at bedtime?Grandma
- What was the hardest part of being a mother?Grandma
- What did you do the same as your own mother, and what did you do differently?Grandma · Mom
- How did you feel when you heard you were going to be a grandma?Grandma
- How is being a grandma different from being a mother?Grandma
- How did you feel when you found out you were going to be a dad?Dad
- What were you most worried about?Dad
- Tell me everything you remember about the day I was born.Dad
- What did you think the first time you held me?Dad
- How did you choose my name?Dad · Mom
- What were the first few weeks like?Dad
- What was I like as a baby?Dad · Mom
- What surprised you most about becoming a father?Dad
- What did you promise yourself you'd do as a dad?Dad
- What did you feel that first night we were all home together?Dad
- What is the funniest thing I ever said or did as a kid?Dad · Mom
- What did we love doing together when I was little?Dad · Mom
- What was the hardest part of raising me?Dad · Mom
- When did I make you proudest?Dad · Mom
- When did I worry you most?Dad · Mom
- What did you learn from me?Dad · Mom
- What family traditions did you want to keep, and which ones did you start?Dad
- What was a moment when you felt you got it right as a dad?Dad
- Is there anything you'd do differently?Dad · Mom
- What do you see in me that reminds you of yourself?Dad · Mom
- How did you find out you were going to be a mother? How did you feel?Mom
- What was being pregnant with me like, or how did I come into your life?Mom
- Tell me everything you remember about the day I arrived.Mom
- What did you feel the first time you held me?Mom
- What were the first few weeks like, honestly?Mom
- What surprised you most about becoming a mother?Mom
- Who helped you most in those early days?Mom
- What did you promise me, quietly, when I was tiny?Mom
- What songs or stories did you give me at bedtime?Mom
Home and everyday life
- What does a perfect Sunday look like to you?Grandpa · Grandma
- What is your favourite meal to eat, and to cook?Grandpa
- Which song always takes you back to a certain time? Where does it take you?Grandpa · Grandma
- What hobbies have you loved over the years?Grandpa · Grandma
- Tell me about a pet you have had.Grandpa · Grandma
- What is your favourite season, and why?Grandpa · Grandma
- Where is your favourite place in the world?Grandpa · Grandma
- What is something you can make or fix with your hands?Grandpa
- What little thing always makes you smile?Grandpa · Grandma · Mom
- What has changed most in the world during your lifetime?Grandpa · Grandma
- Which recipe of yours should never be lost? Write it here.Grandma
- What is something you can make with your hands?Grandma
- What does your perfect weekend look like?Dad
- What is your signature dish or grill secret?Dad
- What song always gets you singing?Dad
- What hobbies or projects make you lose track of time?Dad
- What is a film or book that changed how you see things?Dad · Mom
- What is your favourite place you've ever been?Dad · Mom
- What can you fix or build with your own hands?Dad
- What little thing always makes you laugh?Dad
- What are you secretly very good at?Dad
- What has changed most in the world since you were my age?Dad · Mom
- What does your perfect day off look like?Mom
- Which of your recipes should never be lost? Write it here.Mom
- What song always gets you singing or dancing in the kitchen?Mom
- What hobbies make you lose track of time?Mom
- What is something you make with your hands?Mom
- What do you do when you finally get a moment to yourself?Mom
Life lessons
- What is the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?Grandpa · Grandma
- What do you know now that you wish you had known at twenty?Grandpa · Grandma
- What is something you changed your mind about as you got older?Grandpa · Grandma
- What does it mean to be a good man?Grandpa · Dad
- What should a person never do, whatever happens?Grandpa · Grandma
- How do you get through the hard days?Grandpa · Grandma · Mom
- What is worth worrying about, and what isn't?Grandpa · Grandma · Mom
- What are you most grateful for?Grandpa · Grandma · Dad · Mom
- Is there anything you regret, or would do differently?Grandpa · Grandma
- What has made your life a happy one?Grandpa · Grandma
- What does it mean to be a good person?Grandma · Mom
- What is the best advice you've ever been given?Dad · Mom
- What do you know now that you wish you'd known at twenty?Dad · Mom
- What have you changed your mind about as you've got older?Dad · Mom
- How do you deal with the hard days?Dad
- What is worth fighting for, and what is worth letting go?Dad
- What does real friendship look like?Dad · Mom
- Is there anything you regret?Dad · Mom
- What makes a life a good one?Dad · Mom
For the next generation
- What do you wish for me when I grow up?Grandpa · Grandma
- What do you hope I will always remember about our family?Grandpa · Grandma
- What should I know about love when I'm older?Grandpa · Grandma
- What should I know about money and work?Grandpa · Dad
- What should I do when I feel afraid?Grandpa · Grandma
- What should I do when someone treats me unkindly?Grandpa · Grandma
- Which family story do you want me to pass on to my own children?Grandpa · Grandma
- What is one thing you want me to promise you?Grandpa · Grandma
- How do you want to be remembered?Grandpa · Grandma
- What would you like to say to me that you've never said out loud?Grandpa · Grandma
- What should I know about friendship?Grandma
- What do you hope for me as I grow up?Dad · Mom
- What should I know about love?Dad · Mom
- What should I do when I feel afraid or lost?Dad · Mom
- What should I do when I make a big mistake?Dad · Mom
- How should I treat people who are unkind to me?Dad · Mom
- Which family story should I pass on to my own children?Dad · Mom
- What is one thing you want me to always remember?Dad · Mom
- What have you always wanted to tell me but never quite said?Dad · Mom
- Finish this sentence for me: 'I am proud of you because...'Dad · Mom
- What should I know about taking care of myself?Mom