The lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us. As schedules slow down, freedom wins the day, and quality time together climbs, this season presents a unique opportunity to step back and check in with our children. Understanding who they truly are, what they think about, where their curiosities and interests lie, and what they are concerned about can help us to parent them better.
The next time you find your family with a gloriously free summer day, try asking your little ones the following questions. (Or, alternatively, divide this up and ask a question a day.) Record or write down their responses. I think you'll find the process enlightening and entertaining for both you and your children.
- What’s an activity you wish you could try?
- If you could help a person or a group of people, who would you help?
- What the most delicious food you can think of?
- Where is your favorite place?
- If you could choose to have a superpower, what would you choose?
- What’s Mommy’s greatest talent?
- What’s Daddy’s greatest talent?
- What’s your greatest talent?
- What’s the funniest word you know?
- What’s the hardest thing about being a child?
- What do you think is the hardest thing about being an adult?
- If you could teach the world something, what would you teach?
- What’s the best book you’ve read?
- What are you most thankful for?
- If you could build your own home, what would it look like?
- If you could change something, what would you change?
- What’s your favorite part of the day?
- If our family had a motto what would it be?
- If you had your own motto what would it be?
- What is one of your favorite memories?
- Can you tell me a joke?
- Is there anything you’re worried about?
- What would you like to ask me?
- What’s your favorite toy?
- What job looks like it’s very difficult?
- What job looks like it’s a lot of fun?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What the best thing about being you?
- What’s your favorite part of our home?
- Do you like your name? Why or why not?
- What’s the bravest thing you’ve done?
- Do you like being alone or being with a lot of people better?
- If you were the parent, what would you do differently.
- What’s your favorite song?
- What do you wish you had more time to do?
- What do you wish you didn’t have to do at all?
- What would you do with 1 billion dollars?
- If you could take only five things with you to a deserted island, what would they be?
- From the time you wake up until the time you go to bed, what would the perfect day look like?
- Would you rather spend more time in the city or in the country?
- What’s your favorite store?
- What’s your favorite holiday?
- If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be?
- What’s your favorite dessert?
- What’s something you like that you don’t think a lot of other people like?
- What’s somethings a lot of other people seem to like that you don’t really like?
- If a genie gave you three wishes, what would you wish for?
- What’s your favorite restaurant?
- If there was a book or movie about your life, what would it be called?
- Do you think you’re an early bird, a night owl, or neither?
Be sure to save the answers to these questions as a keepsake of this moment in time. Bonus tip: these questions also double as helpful points for self reflection.
