I was an only child and never spent time with my family until my parents split up. My dad is American and mom is Hispanic, we never had a past of doing anything together so I don’t know what we can do or talk about together. I want to discuss deep, meaningful but also possibly interesting conversations. Stories, what we have learned, the meaning of life, values, etc. what do you guys think? Do you have any recommendations?
Get ready for family picture guys!
my_lead_hook_is_woe: All conversations are meaningful, just don’t come with a layout of what a conversation with them should look like.
Just listen and see where they are going, and to hear the stories you’re looking for, look at what they are doing (be it fixing an engine, cooking or whatever) and ask ‘where did you learn that?’
The most memorable (and meaningful) talks I had with my dad were in a carpentry workshop he had in our backyard, with him working/teaching and me listening/learning.
The only thing that can stop this plan is if your dad/mom isn’t exactly open about his past and just replies with cryptic stuff like ‘you know, around’, and even that is just an invitation to poke more into the issue.
Godspeed, brother, life’s most valuable lessons will come from them, as those 2 people are the only ones who actually gaf about you.
Datderpurmabulk: You answered your own question. Just talk to them and see what comes of it
Qu4rt: Just talk to them often and you’ll get better at it together. It’s about making it normal + natural to talk about these things.
More immediately, I’d recommend asking their opinions or advice or asking for a story like “what’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen” etc.
CroysantsMeringoos: Become a listener. Respond with questions. Ask their opinion on things. Make sure they know whats going on in your life and ask about theirs.
If they live close by, try and see them once a week. The more time you spend with them, the more natural your conversations will be and the more comfortable everyone will be.
Offer to help with things round the house and do them together. It’s easier to talk openly when the focus isn’t on the conversation itself.
This is just how to start I guess. Should get a lot easier after a while 🙂 I think the most important thing is consistent interaction.
Balcil: I often play games with family, like card games. Playing games with people helps me start conversations with people I don’t know well