As my children get older, one of the things I enjoy most is hearing stories from their day- their adventures, funny stories, and even the things they found challenging. I also enjoy asking them questions each year on their birthday trying to capture their thoughts and feelings at that moment in time. However, it is not often that my kids get the chance to ask me questions. But what fun that could be for the kids …learning a few things they might not know about their mom.

 Mother’s Day can be hard for those who have lost a loved one or whose relationship is strained. However, these questions aren’t just for moms-hopefully they can encourage dialogue with grandmas, aunts, siblings and other important people in your life, too.

Conversation starters

• What is a favorite memory about your family growing up and/or your family now?
• What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?
• What is the best advice someone gave you?
• Share a special memory about your mom or mother figure in your life.
• What were you like as a kid? What did you like to do for fun?
• What is something you always wanted to do, but didn’t? Why didn’t you?
• Was there a major historical event in your lifetime? How did it impact you?

Whether you can be near the mother figure in your life this Mother’s Day or not, take time to have a meaningful conversation with them. You never know what you might learn about them and about yourself along the way, too.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Judy Schmidt provides leadership to 4-H metro programming in Peoria County. Schmidt joined Extension in 2001, working as a Youth Development Educator at the East Peoria Center and joined the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell unit in 2011. Her work focuses on 4-H youth development programming in the local metropolitan area, specifically leading positive youth development initiatives for after-school programs, community groups, 4-H clubs and other youth-serving organizations. Her areas of expertise include positive youth development principles, youth leadership, and work with teens as teachers.

Schmidt attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her bachelor's degree in psychology and also for her master's degrees in Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a certified facilitator of the Matrixx System/Real Colors program by the National Curriculum and Training Institute.

ABOUT THE BLOG

Connection Corner: is a blog that provides timely information, activities, and resources to help you stay connected to loved ones, the world around you, and yourself.