Ask These Questions At the Family Dinner Table!
Instead of the usual dinner time questions, “What’s for dinner?”, “Do you have homework?” and “How was work?”, try mixing it up with some new questions. There are a plethora of conversation start cards and games which make for great entertainment. But there are questions that also help cultivate a stronger, happier family bond. Having filmed several elders on their life stories, I’ve been impressed with the amount of stories that their grown children are aware of. I question my own knowledge of my parents and their life and feel like I should be asking more questions.
The questions below are all-inclusive of each family member and will help foster stories that should be shared throughout the years. Each member should get a fair share of time to answer the questions thoughtfully, so they feel they are being heard and accepted for who they are.
Family Table-Side Chat rules;
You don’t have to ask all the questions in a single night. Spread them out…weekly, throughout the year. Another option is to ask them to a member on their birthday.
Record the answers (cliff note version). This will make for some interesting year-to-year comparisons. Hold onto the worksheets as they make for a great addition to a time capsule or keepsake album or memory box.
Allow plenty of time for answers. These are for important conversations Be open to the vulnerability they bring - allow family members to always feel comfortable expressing their feelings or asking for help.
Do not question anybody’s answers. This is who they are, this is how they feeling. Questioning them makes them feel not completely accepted or devalued.
Okay, this one’s not a rule, a mere suggestion to consider enrolling in the “A Year in Our Life” subscription program. This is where you drop your smartphone pictures and videos from the year over to me. I will edit them and place them into a keepsake video. Towards the end of the year, I will film your family in your home and interview each member (individually or together) about their perspective on the year. This segment will then be woven into the year’s highlights. A great movie to make a part of your NYE events!
TABLE-SIDE CHAT QUESTIONS:
Who was/is your childhood best friend. Describe them, what do you like about them?
What was/is your dream job?
What were some of your biggest adventures?
What are some new things you would like to try? (Can be activities, food, destinations, etc.)
What was the best compliment you have ever received? Now give each other one.
What do you think are some good qualities in a marriage partner?
(Parent) What were you like as a child? (Child) How would you describe yourself as a kid?
What are some of your favorite moments together as a family? This year and ever?
What advice would you give someone half your age?
(Parents) Share some stories of your parents; how did they meet? Success stories, stories of resilience, funny stories….