5 Meaningful Questions to Ask Your Mom This Mother’s Day for Family History Preservation

5/11/2025

5 Questions to Ask Your Mom (or Ask About Her) This Mother’s Day

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A floral graphic listing 5 questions to ask your mom or ask about her, designed for Mother's Day and family history reflection.

Ask your mom these 5 meaningful questions this Mother’s Day and preserve her story for generations to come!

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to show appreciation for the women who raised us—and also an opportunity to preserve their stories. Whether you’re spending today with your mother, remembering her, or honoring a grandmother, aunt, or other maternal figure, don’t miss the chance to ask (or answer) a few simple but meaningful questions.

As a genealogist, I know that the small conversations we have today become the precious records of tomorrow. So this Mother’s Day, try asking these five questions—either directly to your mother or someone who knew her well.

1. What was your mom like growing up?

This question opens the door to stories about your grandmother’s childhood—stories that often aren’t written down anywhere. You might discover a surprising detail about her school days, friendships, or personality.

2. What is your favorite family tradition from childhood?

Whether it’s Sunday dinners, birthday rituals, or how holidays were celebrated, these traditions help shape our identity and deserve to be remembered—and perhaps even revived.

3. Do you remember your grandmother’s cooking (or recipes)?

Food is often tied to memory. Ask about the dishes that brought comfort or joy in childhood. Even better, write down the recipes or prepare one today in her honor.

4. What was your hardest or proudest moment as a mother?

This question invites reflection and can uncover powerful, personal stories of resilience, sacrifice, or joy. It’s one of those questions that often yields unexpectedly touching responses.

5. Is there a story you want passed down to future generations?

Sometimes mothers just need to be asked. This is a gentle prompt to encourage legacy-sharing in their own words—a gift not just for you, but for your children and grandchildren as well.

Whether you ask one question or all five, today is a chance to connect, reflect, and preserve part of your family history. If your mother is no longer here, consider journaling your answers to these questions as you remember her—or asking a relative who knew her well.

Let this Mother’s Day be more than flowers and cards. Let it be a celebration of story, memory, and legacy.

What would you ask your mother today? Share your favorite questions—or answers—in the comments below.

6 Comments

Kirsten M. Max-Douglas link

5/12/2025 04:58:45 pm

Thank you for the reminder. I think sometimes I get so caught up in talking to my mom (and my dad) about what I'm researching that I forget to talk to THEM about their lives. Mom is 78, Dad is 81 - I'm lucky to still have them here, but I know they won't be here forever. The time to talk to them is now...not research them later.

Diane Henriks link

6/11/2025 05:58:43 am

Kirsten, you said it perfectly—the time to talk to them is now, not research them later. It’s so easy for us as genealogists to focus on our ancestors and records, and forget to capture the living stories right in front of us. You’re absolutely right to treasure this time. I hope these questions spark some meaningful conversations with both your mom and dad. :)

Colleen link

5/13/2025 03:55:27 am

Those are good questions to ask. As family historians we need to be constantly asking questions, especially questions to our oldest generations.

6/11/2025 05:59:37 am

Thank you, Colleen! I agree completely—asking questions is one of our most important tools as family historians. Especially when we have access to our oldest generations, every conversation can hold valuable memories and insights. I'm glad you found the questions helpful! :)

Marian Wood

5/13/2025 07:36:17 am

Good questions to get conversation flowing!

6/11/2025 06:00:33 am

Thank you, Marian! I really appreciate that. I hoped these questions would be simple enough to start a conversation, yet meaningful enough to preserve something special. Sometimes, all it takes is the right prompt to open the door to a great story. :)