As we age, life tends to slow down. Retirement brings a more leisurely daily routine. Our bodies don’t allow us to move as quickly as we did in our prime. The kids are out of the house and busy with their families. Sometimes spouses and friends pass away. Without our usual dose of interaction, our minds can become muddled and fuzzy. If you have a cherished senior in your life, one of the best ways to sharpen their brain is to ask questions from their past. Not only is it good for boosting mental acuity, reminiscing with your favorite senior will also be a special time of hearing old-time stories and memories that can be cemented and cherished in your mind for years to come.
Curious Questions:
- What were your favorite childhood memories?
- What was your favorite restaurant to go to when you were younger?
- Did you have a childhood romance?
- What did you do for fun when you were a kid?
- What was the naughtiest thing you ever did when you were young?
- Favorite meal your mother or grandmother made?
- Who were your favorite pets when you were young?
- Who were your best friends as a child?
- Did you ever pull any pranks when you were a kid?
- Who was your favorite teacher growing up?
- Who was your least favorite teacher growing up?
- What was your favorite subject in school?
- What was your least favorite subject in school?
- What was your childhood house like?
- What was your high school like? Big, small? Did you have fun or couldn’t wait to graduate?
- What chores were you expected to do around the house?
- Who was your favorite extended family member?
- What was your favorite TV show growing up?
- What was your favorite movie growing up?
- Did you have a favorite stuffed animal or toy as a child?
- What was the best vacation you ever went on?
- How did you meet your spouse?
- What make and model was your first car?
- What was your favorite holiday tradition?
- What genre of music was your favorite when you were younger?
- Who were the major pop stars?
- What activities/sports did you play? What were your teammates like?
- What was the “in” style when you were in high school or college?
- Where was your first apartment or house and how much did you pay for rent or the mortgage?
- Tell me about your first job…
- What was your favorite job you ever had?
- What meal did you first learn to cook?
- What was your favorite holiday tradition later in life?
- Favorite things you did with your mom or dad or grandparents?
- Do you remember the first movie you ever went to?
- Did you ever travel overseas? If so, tell me about it! What was your favorite country, food, scenery?
- What was the craziest decade you lived in?
- Your scariest moment…
- The best day of your life…
- If you could have done something differently in your life, what would it be?
- Where were you on 9/11?
- Technology then and now
- Hobbies
- Worst and Best Times
This is just a start to the myriads of questions one can ask one’s loved one. Take the time to slow down and gain insight and knowledge from your favorite senior. You won’t regret it!