Direct human communication always brings out hidden treasures from people. One of the best examples in this regard is communicating with your grandparents. They are a wealth of information — some of which may help your daily life.
If you have your grandparents around you, consider yourself lucky. You will learn a lot about your family, their values, and some exciting stories you will cherish forever. You never know; you might come to know of some incredible family secret that will change your life forever.
But to get all this information, you have to share with your grandparents. Generally, grandchildren are closely connected with their grandparents as they dote on their grandchildren much more than their children.
Have you ever questioned your grandparents about their younger years, how they led their lives, their hobbies and areas of interest, and their regrets? Answering these questions will help you understand them and their lives better and will bring many memories flooding back to them.
A family and marriage therapist in America specializing in family dynamics suggests that hearing stories from grandparents is going back in time. You will understand how things were in the past by getting a first-hand report of those events.
5 questions to get to know your grandparents better
1. Do you have a nickname? Who gave you the name, and how did it become so popular?
Grandparents often have nicknames, which they tend to forget with no one to call them by that name. Asking their nicknames might open up a box of memories for them as they will narrate who gave them those handles and how those nicknames became popular.
2. How would you describe your childhood?
The childhood of your grandparents was vastly different from your childhood. Knowing about their’ childhoods gives you a clear idea of those times, how things were, and how children spent their time. By learning about their childhoods, you will also have a picture of the socio-economic patterns of those times.
3. How did you deal with stress as a couple?
You are mistaken if you thought stress is something only you have to handle. Even your grandparents had to take lots of stress as a couple. Ask them how they dealt with such pressure conditions. You might get some essential and valuable tips for coping with your own stress effectively.
4. What is your favorite food recipe that you want to keep in the family?
If your grandparents are food lovers, this is an obvious question. In every culture, specific food recipes continue in the family. By asking them about such recipes, you might come to know about dishes that you have never tried. Then, prepare the recipes with their help and guidance, and see their happy faces when you serve them the platse.
5. What is your best childhood memory?
When it comes to happy childhood memories, the first emotion is joy and happiness. Whenever you ask your grandparents about their best childhood memories, you will see an automatic smile. You might be surprised by the simplicity of the answers that they give. But simple things made people happy in those times. Some memories are universal, and this bonding over happiness and shared emotions make relationships unique.
While asking your grandparents questions, you create memories you can treasure and cherish lifelong. You will remember these precious moments even when they are not around.
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