What to say to your parents: 12 prompts for a video message
Thank-yous, questions you wish you'd asked, and the things they'd love to hear. A one-line example for each.
Thank them for something specific.
“For driving me to every 6 a.m. practice and never once complaining in the car.”
Record with this prompt →What did they teach you without meaning to?
“How to apologize properly. You always did it first.”
Record with this prompt →What is your earliest happy memory of them?
“Dad carrying me on his shoulders through the county fair. I could see everything.”
Record with this prompt →What do you understand now that you didn't as a kid?
“How tired you must have been, and how you hid it.”
Record with this prompt →Which of their habits did you end up with?
“I check the stove twice before leaving the house. Every time.”
Record with this prompt →What is a story about them you'd tell your own kids?
“Mom once talked a tow-truck driver into giving us a ride home for free. In the snow.”
Record with this prompt →What did you argue about that doesn't matter anymore?
“Curfews. All of it. You were mostly right.”
Record with this prompt →What do you hope they know about how you turned out?
“That the good parts came from your house.”
Record with this prompt →
What is a meal, song or place that means home?
“Sunday sauce, the radio on, the window open over the sink.”
Record with this prompt →What would you want them to do if you couldn't be there?
“Keep the Thursday card game going. Take my seat for me.”
Record with this prompt →What are you proud of that they made possible?
“The degree. The job. The confidence to ask for the raise.”
Record with this prompt →What would you say to them right now, if you could?
“I love you. Thank you. I'm okay.”
Record with this prompt →
A few tips before you press record
- Pick one parent per message. It lets you say the specific thing.
- Old photos nearby help. Hold one up and tell the story behind it.
- Short is fine. A minute of thank-you is a gift.