Guides50 Questions to Ask Your Parents Before It's Too Late

50 Questions to Ask Your Parents Before It's Too Late

4 sections · Expert-curated · Free

Their Story

What is your earliest memory?

How did you meet the love of your life?

What was the happiest day of your life?

What was the hardest thing you ever went...

What are you most proud of?

Family History

What do you want your grandchildren to k...

What family tradition matters most and w...

What recipe should stay in this family f...

What does this family stand for?

What should we never forget?

Life Lessons

What advice would you give your 20-year-...

What do you know now that you wish you k...

What failure taught you the most?

What does love mean to you?

How do you want to be remembered?

The Hard Questions

Is there anything you wish you had said ...

Do you have any regrets?

What are you most grateful for?

What do you want us to know about taking...

What message would you leave for the peo...

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Their Story

Learn who they really are.

What is your earliest memory?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

How did you meet the love of your life?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

What was the happiest day of your life?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

What was the hardest thing you ever went through?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

What are you most proud of?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

Family History

Preserve what only they know.

What do you want your grandchildren to know about you?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

What family tradition matters most and why?

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What recipe should stay in this family forever?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

What does this family stand for?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

What should we never forget?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

Life Lessons

Wisdom that disappears when they are gone.

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

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What do you know now that you wish you knew earlier?

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What failure taught you the most?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

What does love mean to you?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

How do you want to be remembered?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

The Hard Questions

The ones you will be glad you asked.

Is there anything you wish you had said to someone?

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Do you have any regrets?

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What are you most grateful for?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

What do you want us to know about taking care of ourselves?

Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.

What message would you leave for the people who love you?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start this conversation?

Start casually: "I was thinking about family history and wanted to ask you some questions." You do not need to ask all questions at once. One question per visit or phone call works well. Record their answers with their permission.

How can I record their answers?

Use your phone to record audio or video. Many people are more comfortable with audio-only. NowWhat provides 113 story prompts with voice recording built in, so you can capture and preserve their stories digitally.

You don’t have to figure this out alone

Get a personalized, interactive checklist that tracks your progress and lets you assign tasks to family members. Free to start.

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