Focus: Explore your parent’s birthplace, childhood, family tree, and ancestral roots.
Questions
DISCOVERY
Can you describe the moment you found out you were going to be a parent and how you felt?
What were your initial thoughts and emotions upon receiving the news?
How did you prepare mentally and physically for the arrival of your child?
Did you have any particular hopes or fears about becoming a parent?
PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
How did you and your spouse prepare for the arrival of your child, and what were the most significant changes you experienced during pregnancy?
Were there specific traditions, advice, or preparations you followed?
Can you describe the childbirth experience and the support system you had in place?
In what ways did the experience of pregnancy and childbirth bring you and your spouse closer, or challenge your relationship?
NEW PARENT
How did the arrival of your first child change your life and your perspective on family?
What adjustments did you have to make in your daily life after becoming a parent?
How did your priorities and routines change with the addition of a new family member?
In what ways did becoming a parent impact your relationships with your spouse, family, and friends?
EARLY YEARS
Can you share a significant or memorable moment from your child’s early years?
What makes this moment stand out in your memory?
How did this event shape your child’s development or your approach to parenting?
What emotions or thoughts do you associate with this particular time?
VALUES
What values and traditions have you aimed to instil in your children as they grew up?
Which values or aspects of your cultural heritage did you find most important to pass on?
How did you incorporate these values and traditions into your family life and parenting style?
Can you share an example of how you’ve seen these values reflected in your children’s behaviour or choices?
CHALLENGES
How have you and your spouse navigated the challenges and joys of raising children together?
Can you discuss a challenging time in your parenting journey and how you handled it as a couple?
What aspects of parenting have brought you the most joy and fulfilment?
How has parenting together affected your relationship with your spouse?
EDUCATION
What approach have you taken to your child’s education and extracurricular activities?
How have you balanced academic expectations with your child’s interests and well-being?
Can you share how you’ve supported or guided your child in their educational or extracurricular pursuits?
How do you view the role of parents in shaping their child’s educational and personal development?
PARENTING STYLE
How has your parenting style evolved as your children have grown and become more independent?
How did you adjust your parenting approach as your child entered adolescence or young adulthood?
What challenges or surprises have you encountered as your children have grown?
How do you maintain a close and supportive relationship with your children as they navigate independence?
FAMILY TRADITION
Can you talk about a tradition or activity that your family enjoys together and how it has strengthened your bond?
What is the origin or significance of this tradition or activity?
How do you ensure that this tradition remains a meaningful and enjoyable part of your family life?
What lessons or values do you believe this tradition or activity imparts to your family?
DISCIPLINE
How do you approach discipline and setting boundaries with your children?
What principles guide your approach to discipline and establishing rules?
Can you share an example of a situation where discipline or boundaries were particularly important?
How do you balance firmness with understanding and compassion in your parenting?
THE UNEXPECTED
What has been the most unexpected aspect of parenthood for you?
Can you describe a situation or realisation that took you by surprise in your parenting journey?
How did you adapt to or learn from this unexpected aspect of parenthood?
What advice would you give to new parents about embracing the unexpected in family life?
ACHIEVEMENTS
How do you and your family celebrate collective milestones and achievements?
Can you discuss a particularly memorable celebration or recognition of a milestone in your family?
How do these celebrations reflect your family’s values or cultural heritage?
What importance do you place on acknowledging and celebrating each family member’s achievements?
COMMUNICATION
How do you foster open communication and understanding within your family?
What practices or habits do you find most effective for promoting honest and respectful communication?
Can you share a time when open communication was crucial in resolving a family issue or conflict?
How do you encourage your children to express themselves and listen to others within the family?
EXTENDED FAMILY
What role does extended family play in your children's upbringing and your family life?
How do you maintain connections with extended family members and involve them in your children's lives?
Can you discuss the influence or support of grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins in your family dynamics?
How do you balance the benefits and challenges of extended family involvement in your parenting and family life?
TRANSITIONS
How do you navigate changes or transitions within your family, such as moving, new jobs, or children leaving home?
What strategies or mindsets have helped your family adapt to significant changes or transitions?
Can you share a particular change your family faced and how you managed it together?
How do you ensure that your family remains connected and supportive during times of change?
MEALS
Can you discuss the importance of shared meals or family gatherings in your household?
How do you prioritise and organise family meals or gatherings amidst busy schedules?
What traditions or practices do you associate with family meals or gatherings?
How have these shared times contributed to your family’s sense of unity and communication?
TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
How do you approach teaching your children about responsibility and contributing to the household?
What tasks or responsibilities do you assign to your children, and how do you ensure they understand their importance?
How do you encourage a sense of teamwork and cooperation in household duties or responsibilities?
Can you discuss the benefits or lessons you believe your children gain from contributing to the family?
CHILDREN’S MEMORIES
What memories or experiences do you hope your children will cherish from their childhood?
Can you share a particular memory or experience you believe is significant in your children’s upbringing?
How have you worked to create meaningful and positive experiences for your children?
What legacy or memories do you aim to leave with your children as they grow and build their own lives?
GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES
How do you and your family address and embrace cultural or generational differences?
Can you discuss how you bridge cultural or generational gaps within your family?
How do you ensure that respect and understanding prevail when addressing differences?
What lessons or insights have you and your family gained from embracing and learning from these differences?
SUPPORT
How do you ensure that your family stays connected and supportive, even during busy or challenging times?
What practices or habits do you prioritise to maintain your family’s connection and support?
Can you discuss a time when your family’s support was particularly crucial for a family member?
How do you reinforce the importance of family unity and being there for each other?
ADVICE
What advice would you give to new parents about balancing the demands of parenthood with personal well-being?
Based on your experience, what guidance can you offer about self-care and managing stress as a parent?
How do you ensure that you attend to your own needs while fulfilling your responsibilities as a parent?
What practices or resources have you found most helpful for maintaining your well-being and balance in family life?
VIETNAMESE HERITAGE
How do you celebrate and incorporate your Vietnamese heritage in your family’s daily life or special occasions?
What aspects of Vietnamese culture do you find most important to share with your children?
Can you discuss how you integrate cultural traditions, foods, or practices into your family life?
How do you ensure that your children understand and appreciate their cultural heritage?
HOME ENVIRONMENT
Can you talk about the importance of creating a loving and nurturing home environment for your children?
What elements do you believe contribute to a loving and nurturing home?
How do you actively work to create and maintain such an environment for your family?
What impact do you believe a nurturing home has on your children’s growth and well-being?
LIFE LESSONS
How do you approach discussing and educating your children about important life topics, such as relationships, finances, or health?
What strategies or methods do you use to ensure these discussions are age-appropriate and effective?
Can you share an example of an important discussion you had with your children and how it went?
How do you ensure that your children feel comfortable approaching you with questions or concerns about these topics?
LEISURE
What role does play and leisure time have in your family life, and how do you prioritise it?
How do you balance structured activities with free play or leisure time for your children?
Can you discuss the importance of play and relaxation in your children's development and your family dynamics?
What activities or hobbies do you enjoy as a family, and how do they contribute to your family's happiness and bonding?
CHANGES IN CHILDREN
How do you handle changes in your children’s interests, friendships, or social dynamics as they grow?
What approach do you take to support and guide your children through these changes?
Can you share a time when you had to help your child navigate a significant change in their social life or interests?
How do you ensure that you remain understanding and supportive while respecting your child's individuality and autonomy?
INDEPENDENCE
Can you discuss the importance of fostering independence and self-reliance in your children?
How do you encourage and support your children in becoming independent and self-reliant?
Can you share an example of a situation where your child demonstrated independence, and how you responded?
What balance do you strive for between providing guidance and allowing your children to make their own decisions and learn from experiences?
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
How do you and your spouse model and teach conflict resolution and effective communication to your children?
What principles or practices do you follow in your own interactions that you hope your children will learn from?
Can you discuss a time when you had to mediate or guide your children through a conflict or communication challenge?
What lessons or skills do you believe are essential for your children to learn about resolving conflicts and communicating effectively?
PASSING DOWN MEMORIES
What memories or traditions from your own childhood have you aimed to pass on or recreate for your children?
Can you discuss a particular memory or tradition from your childhood that you cherish?
How have you adapted or shared this memory or tradition with your children?
What significance do you hope these memories or traditions will hold for your children?
SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS
How do you approach teaching your children about responsibility and making positive contributions to society?
What values or examples do you emphasise to instil a sense of social responsibility in your children?
Can you share how you involve your children in community service, volunteering, or other forms of social contribution?
How do you discuss and address the broader impact of individual actions on society and the environment with your children?
TECHNOLOGY
Can you talk about how you manage and adapt to your children’s evolving technology use and digital presence?
What guidelines or rules do you establish regarding technology use in your household?
How do you stay informed and involved in your children's digital activities or interests?
What challenges or opportunities do you believe technology presents in your children’s upbringing and your family life?
FAMILY VACATIONS
How do you celebrate and make the most of family vacations or trips together?
Can you discuss a particularly memorable family vacation or trip and what made it special?
How do you plan and ensure that family trips are enjoyable and meaningful for everyone involved?
What importance do you place on creating shared experiences and memories through travel or outings?
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
How do you address and support your children’s emotional and mental well-being?
What approaches or resources do you use to ensure that your children feel emotionally supported and understood?
Can you share a time when you had to provide particular emotional support or guidance to your child?
How do you foster an environment where your children feel safe to express their emotions and seek help or advice?
THE FUTURE
What discussions or preparations have you made with your family regarding future aspirations, education, or career paths for your children?
How do you approach conversations about future goals, aspirations, or plans with your children?
Can you discuss how you support and guide your children in exploring their interests and making decisions about their future?
What balance do you strive for between encouraging your children’s dreams and ensuring practical considerations and preparations?
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT
How do you approach celebrating and respecting individual achievements and milestones for each family member?
Can you discuss how you recognise and celebrate individual accomplishments in your family?
How do you ensure that each family member feels valued and acknowledged for their achievements?
What importance do you believe individual recognition holds in maintaining a supportive and encouraging family dynamic?
HEALTH
How do you and your family address and adapt to health challenges or medical needs?
What strategies or practices do you follow to ensure your family’s health and well-being?
Can you share a time when your family faced a health challenge and how you managed it together?
How do you maintain open communication and support among family members during health-related situations?
CREATING MEMORIES
Can you discuss the importance of creating lasting memories and traditions for your family?
What activities or traditions do you believe contribute to creating lasting family memories?
Can you share a particularly memorable tradition or event that holds a special place in your family’s history?
How do you ensure that these memories and traditions are preserved and cherished by your family?
COMMUNITY
How do you foster a sense of community and belonging within your family and with your relatives or neighbours?
How do you nurture connections and relationships within your extended family and community?
Can you discuss a community event or gathering that was particularly meaningful for your family?
What values or practices do you believe are important for cultivating a strong sense of community and belonging?
OPINIONS
How do you manage and navigate differing opinions or interests within your family, ensuring that everyone feels heard and respected?
What approaches do you take to facilitate open and respectful discussions among family members?
Can you share a time when managing differing opinions was particularly challenging or rewarding?
How do you ensure that each family member’s voice and perspective are valued and considered?
FESTIVALS
What role does celebrating cultural or religious festivals play in your family life, and how do you involve your children?
Can you discuss how you observe and celebrate important cultural or religious events as a family?
How do you involve your children in the preparation, understanding, and celebration of these festivals?
What significance do these celebrations hold for your family’s cultural identity and sense of heritage?