Questions to ask your parents about their life
A good family interview is a conversation, not a checklist. Agree on the purpose, ask permission before recording, and let your parent decide what to discuss, pause, keep private, or leave out.
By MemoirWell · Updated
Before you record
- Explain why you want the conversation and who may hear or read it.
- Ask permission to record; family relationship is not automatic consent.
- Agree on topics that are welcome, sensitive, or off limits.
- Make it clear that the storyteller can pause or change their mind.
Childhood and home
- What did an ordinary morning look like in the home where you grew up?
- Who made you feel understood when you were young?
- What place from childhood can you still picture clearly?
Work, choices, and relationships
- Which decision changed the direction of your life?
- What did your first real job teach you?
- How did you meet someone who became important to you?
Follow the answer
Useful follow-ups are simple: “What happened next?”, “What did the room look like?”, “How did you know?”, and “Is there any part you want kept private?” Leave enough silence for the memory to continue.
FAQ
What is a good first question?
Ask for an ordinary, concrete scene, such as a morning in the home where your parent grew up.
Should I send questions in advance?
Offer to. Some people enjoy spontaneity; others feel safer when they can see the themes first.
How many questions should I ask?
Plan a few, but expect one or two to fill the session. Depth is more valuable than completing a list.
Can I share the recording?
Only within the permission you agreed on. Ask separately about the recording, transcript, edited story, and public use.
Sources and review date
This guide and its sources were reviewed on .