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These are strange times...and as most of us are struggling with the demands of staying at home, a fair few of us are also spending more time away from our loved ones in far-flung places.Anyone who knows me knows how much I love my parents, so it's been tough being away from them for so long. Technology has helped, but it can't replace a face to face, heartfelt conversation.
I know I am.
Recently, over a great morning conversation, a good friend mentioned he had just asked his parents some pretty interesting questions.
Questions that opened up to a deeper conversation. Questions that made me stop and think 'have I ever asked these questions to them before?'
His relationship with his Father has improved tenfold, and they have regular weekly catchups, 7 pm on the dot, so I'm told.
So, over a bottle of wine, I managed to ask a couple of these questions. We laughed, we cried, we drank, and we enjoyed each others company. Sure, it's not the same as being there, but it came pretty close.
Enjoy!
Your Childhood
Did you enjoy your childhood? What aspects did you enjoy? Do you have any painful memories or an experienced that shaped you?
When you had me (or my siblings) how did you feel? Were you overwhelmed with responsibility?
When you think about your relationships with your siblings, how happy were they? Are they strong and honest now?
Later in life
What were your hopes for your children? What did you consider success for you?
Were you ever worried about how we would all turn out?
When did you ever feel the most alone?
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc) What did you learn from it?
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a ‘favourite failure’ of yours?
What advice would you give to yourself if you were about to enter the “real world”? What advice should you ignore?
What’s been the most powerful book that had an effect on you? Why?
And now.
In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life?
If you had your time again what would you have liked to do more of? Less of?
Who is someone you wished you spent more time with and less time with? Who is someone you wished you had a better friendship?
When you think about your relationships with your kids now, what would you like to change? What are you happy with?
What would you like more of or wished you could do?
If there was a billboard representing you, what would it say?