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300 Questions to Ask Your Parents Before It's Too Late
Ask the perfect questions and receive answers full of wisdom with this easy-to-use guide. Learn from your parents the time honored traditions and habits that have made them who they are today, including their views on spirituality, what they learned in their youth, how they feel about parenting, and much more! With over 300 questions, this guide is a sure way to help you know your parents better.
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2011
162 people are currently reading
1736 people want to read
About the author
Shannon L. Alder
9 books1,528 followersShannon L. Alder is an inspirational author. Her tidbits of wisdom have been published in over 300 different books, by various relationship authors and in several online magazines and news agencies.
Shannon was awarded for the most used quotes and most written quotes by one single author on Goodreads--- 1, 200 quotes to be exact. They can be found spread throughout the internet by her followers and various news agencies.
Her quotes have been published in many of her books and in the books of other relationship authors.
If you wish to use her quotes please visit Shannon's Facebook page (Shannon L. Alder). She gives specific instructions on how to do that legally for anything you publish. All quotes are copyrighted.
Her book on Narcissism debuted on the hit Reality TV show, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills- 2021 season.
To learn about upcoming book signings, new books or read her blog visit: Shannonalder.com
Become part of her Staying Positive University tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stayingposit...
Shannon was awarded for the most used quotes and most written quotes by one single author on Goodreads--- 1, 200 quotes to be exact. They can be found spread throughout the internet by her followers and various news agencies.
Her quotes have been published in many of her books and in the books of other relationship authors.
If you wish to use her quotes please visit Shannon's Facebook page (Shannon L. Alder). She gives specific instructions on how to do that legally for anything you publish. All quotes are copyrighted.
Her book on Narcissism debuted on the hit Reality TV show, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills- 2021 season.
To learn about upcoming book signings, new books or read her blog visit: Shannonalder.com
Become part of her Staying Positive University tribe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stayingposit...
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 12, 2011
Awesome idea! I bought this for my dad. While he was in the hospital we filled it out. Two weeks after we had completed it he died of cancer. Thanks for such a great idea. I have something to remember him by.
May 12, 2011
I won this book as a first reads giveaway and received it just prior to mother's day. I had planned on seeing how many questions I could sneak into conversations with my parents before they noticed, but didn't get the chance... my mom saw the book on mother's day. I told her my plan and she laughed as we all sat down to let the questioning begin. Neither of my parents liked the "before it's too late" part of the title (they are in their early 50's), but they loved the concept and really enjoyed the conversations that sprang as a result of the book (my husband was there too and he liked the chance to get to know his in-laws better too). My mom ended up taking the book home with her so she can ask her mom and my dad's parents some of the questions and my mom is going to write answers from my parents and grandparents into the book and give me back the completed book. That will truly be a gift that I will treasure.
Some of the questions were a bit odd, there were a few that seemed like you really should know the answer if you've ever had a conversation with your parents, and some questions weren't relevant... but there were 300 questions in there so it seems inevitable that you won't love every single one or that some might not apply to your family situation.
Some of the questions were a bit odd, there were a few that seemed like you really should know the answer if you've ever had a conversation with your parents, and some questions weren't relevant... but there were 300 questions in there so it seems inevitable that you won't love every single one or that some might not apply to your family situation.
May 13, 2019
This is a workbook, a questionnaire, to be filled in by the reader. It presumes that the reader is a parent addressing his or her children. If you are not a parent, many of these questions will not be relevant or applicable to you. Most of the questions are personal, intended to reveal personal traits, not mere trivia questions. But some are impersonal: "What have been the three biggest news events during your lifetime?" What does that tell us about someone? Better to ask whether someone is a dog person or a cat person. (I am neither.) Another good question to ask: Where were you during the census years?
Some of these questions are not easy to answer; they require time and thought, but it is fun to mull over them. I like the one on page 70, how would I divide my life into chapters for a book? And on page 125: how have I changed and how have I stayed the same? I wish my ancestors had answered these questions for me.
Consider this book an open letter to future generations. The idea is a good one. Some of the questions could be more personal or more relevant, but others are revealing and provocative. A mixed bag.
Some of these questions are not easy to answer; they require time and thought, but it is fun to mull over them. I like the one on page 70, how would I divide my life into chapters for a book? And on page 125: how have I changed and how have I stayed the same? I wish my ancestors had answered these questions for me.
Consider this book an open letter to future generations. The idea is a good one. Some of the questions could be more personal or more relevant, but others are revealing and provocative. A mixed bag.
October 4, 2012
While the introduction to the book was rather gripping, once I got into the questions I was puzzled.
First, too many questions seemed to be posed by a stranger. For example, did you go to college and if so, where? I realize that our society has become more introverted these days; ipods, video games, phones with movies -- we escape to our own world and retreat from one another. But really, an adult child not knowing if a parent went to college strikes me as too distant.
Second, far too many questions are designed to be asked of a well educated stable parent. I know, first hand, that parents are often not educated beyond high school (mine for example) and shoulder a lot of emotional baggage. For families where the parents have Masters degrees and are emotionally sound, this book might be useful. For others the questions may result in the equivalent of stepping on a land mine of repressed feelings.
Third, the book lists questions with room to write notes. However, it is a standard book, not a notebook. Writing notes seems difficult. I also wonder if a different medium, such as video or voice recording might make the exercise more fulfilling. A lot is conveyed through body language and tone!
And fourth, what do you do when you are done with the questions? Addler does not offer any clear way on how to use this information. I think she is on to something important, but it seems too limited and narrow for most people to benefit.
One question did make me wonder, what was your marriage proposal like? My father died in 2009, and my mother is still with us, but she is in poor health. It makes me wonder, how did my dad propose? It is something I do not know. And knowing might allow me to have a more complete picture of the grandfather I describe to my young children, a man they will only know through my stories. So, before it is too late, I plan to ask my mom. It will need to be delicate; memories of my dad and his death sadden her. Again, that is the key point missing from this book....how to ask without bringing about hurt.
First, too many questions seemed to be posed by a stranger. For example, did you go to college and if so, where? I realize that our society has become more introverted these days; ipods, video games, phones with movies -- we escape to our own world and retreat from one another. But really, an adult child not knowing if a parent went to college strikes me as too distant.
Second, far too many questions are designed to be asked of a well educated stable parent. I know, first hand, that parents are often not educated beyond high school (mine for example) and shoulder a lot of emotional baggage. For families where the parents have Masters degrees and are emotionally sound, this book might be useful. For others the questions may result in the equivalent of stepping on a land mine of repressed feelings.
Third, the book lists questions with room to write notes. However, it is a standard book, not a notebook. Writing notes seems difficult. I also wonder if a different medium, such as video or voice recording might make the exercise more fulfilling. A lot is conveyed through body language and tone!
And fourth, what do you do when you are done with the questions? Addler does not offer any clear way on how to use this information. I think she is on to something important, but it seems too limited and narrow for most people to benefit.
One question did make me wonder, what was your marriage proposal like? My father died in 2009, and my mother is still with us, but she is in poor health. It makes me wonder, how did my dad propose? It is something I do not know. And knowing might allow me to have a more complete picture of the grandfather I describe to my young children, a man they will only know through my stories. So, before it is too late, I plan to ask my mom. It will need to be delicate; memories of my dad and his death sadden her. Again, that is the key point missing from this book....how to ask without bringing about hurt.
July 12, 2011
I so needed this book! I bought it for mother's day and my mom already gave it back to me. I have a great keepsake of information to pass down to my kids. I bought an extra copy for myself to fill out and I am finding there is so much I still need to do with my life so I have a legacy I can leave my own kids and something to say to them about how I lived. This was a diamond of a book. So important to have!
June 20, 2012
How I love lists!
I think I'll use this as a journal, a writing prompt, a message for my own children.
November 26, 2011
Im having trouble with this. First, the book was not what I expected. I expected an actual story book, not homework. As upset as I was when I first opened it, I am not going to let my anger get in the way of better judgement. The "book" has many good to great questions to ask parents, questions we may never know or even ask. Most of the things in the book I do not know about my own parents, so this is a great tool to give to them and get to know them way better and much deeper than you thought. Its basically a 300 question interview or questionnaire. I give the writer credit for coming up and or finding 300 questions. I can't even think of 5 to ask.
Want to read
April 7, 2011I hope this book will bring may surprises. I hope to read this book because I love both my parents dearly and I know that the time is now. I really don't want to disappoint anybody but the title says all. I think that reading this book is a great way to inform kids that they don't live in a dream world that's all whacked up to be. Maybe it's time for children to see the reality before it IS too late.
Read
April 22, 2011What a great idea to come up with a book like this! I was really excited to get this book to give to my parents. I am looking forward to reading their answers and learning more about them. This will be a great book to hand down for generations to come! Come enter for a chance to win it here: http://bookgiveaways.blogspot.com/
August 27, 2011
Got this as a gift for my mom and gave a copy to my grandfather. I really like that the questions are deep and not about the trivial things in life they experienced but more about what they learned out of life and what they want me to know. This was an awesome idea by one of my favorite authors....love question books!
June 22, 2021
These are great questions to ask yourself... 💜
Not only are the questions in this book a great resource for family history when recording the life and times of parents or grandparents, this is a wonderful tool to examine your own life if you're in your older years. Of course it is ideal if you can use this book as a genealogist's guide if your family is still living. If you are a grandparent, though, as I am, and a genealogist, use this book as a guide to record your own history for future generations. I would suggest this book is a wonderful way to look back at your life at a time many of us are searching for answers and meaning in our own reflections!
Not only are the questions in this book a great resource for family history when recording the life and times of parents or grandparents, this is a wonderful tool to examine your own life if you're in your older years. Of course it is ideal if you can use this book as a genealogist's guide if your family is still living. If you are a grandparent, though, as I am, and a genealogist, use this book as a guide to record your own history for future generations. I would suggest this book is a wonderful way to look back at your life at a time many of us are searching for answers and meaning in our own reflections!
March 8, 2015
Great questions. I was able to get 111 questions to ask my parents and grandparents.
Read
December 12, 2013This book for me was not as great as I had heard it was. It was ok. I felt it was predictable.
Read
December 31, 2016I bought one copy to see what it was all about it. I am not which parent I want to give it to in order to fill out the book yet. It does have some interesting questions.
May 15, 2021
A start to ask a lot of questions, but too feminist, too LDS for a more general audience
More fun than writing a will, probably more appreciated to write some thoughtful answers. Even as a female, some of these questions I find offensive if I were male. An updated volume might be want to put some male perspective questions or atypical gender questions out there or reword everything to gender neutral. Consider different family scenarios than a nuclear family. The religion chapter was way to weird to even address. I am not LDS and I don't worship deities, there clearly could be better breadth of questions one co u Kenya's to address the subjects. Lots of questions I would just have to say, none of the above. However with 300 non-sequential questions, that is enough to get a conversation started, so 4 stars for that effort. Lines left to fill out answers. For me, some maddening short spaces, and some really bizarre questions have a ton of space for a page-long answer. Z
More fun than writing a will, probably more appreciated to write some thoughtful answers. Even as a female, some of these questions I find offensive if I were male. An updated volume might be want to put some male perspective questions or atypical gender questions out there or reword everything to gender neutral. Consider different family scenarios than a nuclear family. The religion chapter was way to weird to even address. I am not LDS and I don't worship deities, there clearly could be better breadth of questions one co u Kenya's to address the subjects. Lots of questions I would just have to say, none of the above. However with 300 non-sequential questions, that is enough to get a conversation started, so 4 stars for that effort. Lines left to fill out answers. For me, some maddening short spaces, and some really bizarre questions have a ton of space for a page-long answer. Z
September 5, 2018
Thought provoking questions to answer for your posterity about yourself and your ancestors. I recommend this book for all who treasure lessons learned and the meaning of life.
Yourself and your ancestors. I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in family, the meaning of life, and lessons of traditional values, wisdom, and stories for future generations to know who they came from and the lessons they can learn from them.
Yourself and your ancestors. I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in family, the meaning of life, and lessons of traditional values, wisdom, and stories for future generations to know who they came from and the lessons they can learn from them.
June 4, 2020
Gets Your Own Thoughts Rolling
Some good ideas here. A number, I’d not be comfortable putting to my father, but that has more to do with him then with this book. I love him, but there are subjects he won’t talk about. This is a solid warmup, though, to designing one’s own questions—both for one’s parents and for oneself to consider for our own children—and definitely worth reading.
Some good ideas here. A number, I’d not be comfortable putting to my father, but that has more to do with him then with this book. I love him, but there are subjects he won’t talk about. This is a solid warmup, though, to designing one’s own questions—both for one’s parents and for oneself to consider for our own children—and definitely worth reading.
May 9, 2024
It is essential to ask questions, to me it was a task because my parents ask the questions because it is from a book, digging in, is rare! My father when he was alive I asked him few questions why did he go away? That remains with me what was unanswered? About ghosts? He knew? Or his friends taking him where to army base because he was in NCC and my mom in Guides. So many questions unanswered I find it elusive. :"(
July 14, 2022
This book is a great way to open discussions with your children and grandchildren. It's also a great addition to my family's genealogy.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews