Start a conversation, and use these questions as prompts to get to know a new side of your dad

Father’s Day has rolled around again, as it tends to do. But, this year, rather than going through the motions of a standard Father’s Day celebration, why not shake things up a bit?

Often, with the people we’re close to in our lives, it can be easy to let the years pass by without stopping to really notice the enormous value we offer each other. Fathers play an important role in many of our lives – shaping the people we are, our values, our beliefs, and our approach to the challenges that come our way – and, yet, sometimes, the details about their lives, and their own personal histories, can go overlooked. But there are good reasons why we should invest some time into uncovering them.

A study from Emory University, in Atlanta, took 48 families, and asked them 20 questions about their family history. What the researchers, Marshall Duke and Robyn Fivush, found was that children who have a strong ‘family narrative’ had better emotional health. This is thought to be because having a good sense of family history can go on to create a strong ‘intergenerational self’ – meaning, your own identity goes back through the generations, which can offer you connection, strength, and resilience.

Of course, getting to know your dad’s personal history isn’t just a one-way street. A study commissioned by Movemeber on fatherhood and social connections found that the social connections a father has can be a strong indicator of their physical and mental wellbeing and longevity – with mutually supportive friendships acting as a ‘protective factor’ against anxiety and depression.

Ultimately, taking time to talk and connect with each other can go a really long way. Which is why, this Father’s Day, we’ve gathered together 25 questions for you to put to your dad to start a conversation. Whether it be diving into their own personal history, uncovering quirks, passions, or reliving moments of joy – pick and chose, or work through the list together. You never know what you might discover…

  1. As a child, what was your favourite toy?

  2. What is the best Christmas present you ever received?

  3. What was the name of your favourite teacher, and why were they your favourite?

  4. As a child, what were you afraid of?

  5. What did you want to be when you grew up?

  6. What are the names of your grandparents, and what did they do for work?

  7. Did you have any childhood pets?

  8. Which family member has had the greatest impact on your life?

  9. As a child, what was your favourite place to visit?

  10. What is the soundtrack to your teenage years?

  11. What did teachers say about you in reports and at parents' evenings?

  12. When did you know you wanted to be a father?

  13. Do you think your approach to fatherhood is similar or different to your own father?

  14. Before you became a father, what about being a father were you most excited about?

  15. What is your favourite way to relax?

  16. What achievement are you most proud of?

  17. Can you describe a time you felt awe-struck?

  18. What would you say our ‘family values’ are?

  19. What qualities do you most value in yourself?

  20. What’s a lesson you learnt the hard way?

  21. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

  22. How much do you know about your family history? Do you have any stories to share?

  23. What skills do you think are most valuable in a person?

  24. What is your favourite story to tell?

  25. What lessons has fatherhood taught you?