For me, and for many others, the new year truly starts with Labor Day. It’s the time of year when the energy shifts—summer winds down, teachers and kids head back to school, and we return to our routines with renewed focus. Just like the traditional back-to-school photos that fill social media, this season signals a fresh start not only for students but for adults as well.

Labor Day weekend is the launching pad for new beginnings—whether it’s diving into creative projects, setting personal goals, or expanding professional horizons. This transitional time of the year is rich with potential. We often think of January as the time to make resolutions, but for me September holds that same promise of fresh beginnings. I use this time to dive into my own “new year.” It’s when I review projects, recalibrate goals, and begin fresh initiatives.

This is also a juncture where we can pause and reflect: What have we accomplished so far this year? What do we want to achieve before it ends? Just as students step into new classrooms and begin new lessons, we too can start new chapters in our personal and professional lives. Perhaps it is launching a new project, refocusing on health and wellness, or setting our sights on long-held dreams that were on the back burner.

Labor Day weekend really is a great time to reflect, regroup, and step forward into our own new year full of possibilities. Labor Day isn’t just a holiday from work and school—it’s a moment for reinvention. Let’s embrace it!

Father’s Day is a special occasion that occurs one day a year to honor and appreciate the fathers in our lives. For many of us, our fathers are our “North Stars” guiding us through life with their steadfast support and enduring presence. In my case, my beloved Dad was my “rock” throughout my life, up until his 90’s when he passed. I miss him dearly every day.

While gifts and cards are lovely on Father’s Day, creating a video that captures your father’s wisdom, experiences and love, can be an even more meaningful gift for you to share. All you need is a smartphone and a list of tailored questions to ask your father, which you can find in the blog post.

One of my most cherished possessions is the biographical video interview I did with him over 20 years ago, where I captured all of his life stories and life wisdom. 

A homemade video serves not only as a precious keepsake but also as a gift of quality time spent together, deepening bonds and fostering open, heartfelt conversations. It will preserve your father’s voice and expressions and capture his stories and emotions. It’s a dynamic way to document his legacy, allowing future generations when they see it to connect with his personality, values and wisdom in a way that written words alone cannot achieve.

To make the most out of this production, questions should be tailored to the age of the person asking them. This approach ensures that the conversation is engaging and the questions are appropriate, whether they are asked by a young child or an adult. 

Once the video is complete, share the final production with your family and back it up to keep copies safe for future generations to enjoy.

Best Father’s Day wishes to all the exceptional Dads!

 

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Questions to Ask Dad on Father’s Day

 

Here are questions to get you started, sorted by age. For your convenience, you can download the Questions to Ask Dad on Father’s Day PDF and print to use as a script while you record. Most of all, have FUN!

For Young Children:

• • How did you feel when you found out you were going to be a dad?
  • What is your favorite memory of me as a baby?
  • What is the funniest thing I’ve done so far?
  • What was the most surprising thing about becoming my dad?
  • What do you hope I remember about my early years?
  • What is your favorite activity to do with me right now?
  • What have you learned about yourself since becoming my dad?

For Elementary School Children:

• • What’s your favorite story to read to me?
  • What school activity or event are you most proud of me for?
  • How do you encourage my curiosity and learning?
  • What advice do you give me about making friends?
  • What’s your favorite game or sport to play with me?
  • What lesson do you hope I learn during elementary school?
  • What family tradition do you enjoy most with me?
  • How do you handle challenges or conflicts with me?

For Middle School Children:

• • What’s the biggest change you’ve noticed in me during middle school?
  • How do you support my growing independence?
  • What do you admire most about my personality?
  • What advice do you have for me about handling peer pressure?
  • What hobbies or interests do we share?
  • How do you help me balance school, activities, and relaxation?
  • What’s the most important value you want me to remember?
  • What’s your favorite memory of us from when I was younger?

For High School Children:

• • What were you like in high school?
  • What’s the most important advice you have for my future?
  • How do you support my goals and dreams?
  • What’s your favorite memory of us from my childhood?
  • What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as my parent?
  • What qualities do you think are most important for me to develop?
  • How do you feel about me becoming more independent?
  • What life lessons do you want me to carry into adulthood?

For Adult Children:

• • What was your proudest moment as my father?
  • How did becoming a father change you?
  • What advice do you have for me as I navigate adulthood?
  • What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned from being a parent?
  • What’s your favorite memory of us together?
  • What values do you hope I continue to uphold?
  • How do you want to be remembered by your grandchildren?
  • What’s one thing you wish you had known when you were my age?

For Adult Children Who Are Fathers Themselves:

• • What advice do you have for me now that I’m a father too?
  • What was the biggest challenge you faced raising me?
  • How did you balance work and family life?
  • What are your favorite memories of raising me?
  • How did you approach discipline and guidance with me?
  • What’s the most important lesson you want me to pass on to my children?
  • How do you see fatherhood changing across generations?
  • What are you most proud of in your journey as a father and now a grandfather?

 

This blog is “Part Two” to our last month’s blog- “Talk! Don’t Text: Strengthening Intergenerational Bonds Through Conversation,” on the subject of fostering meaningful family connections. In today’s fast-paced digital world, text messages dominate as a mode of communication and personal connection frequently gets lost. The importance of refraining from using texting as the main means of communication, is of paramount importance during these stressful times.

 

Prioritizing Face-to-Face Communication

When comparing face-to-face communication with text messaging, the differences are profound. Non-verbal cues like facial expressions, emotional reactions of laughter and/or sighing are all examples of body language and voice that can add layers of meaning to interactions. Those cues help foster emotional understanding and build trust. These emotional cues are not available via texting. The irreplaceable value of in-person connection that can aid in deepening love and respect, especially between generations of family members is clearly missing.

At the heart of building personal connection lies storytelling. Whether sharing family lore of the past or planning of future adventures, storytelling weaves a tapestry of experiences and emotions that are shared. These narratives foster empathy and strengthen the bonds that bind family members together.

Picture the warmth in your grandmother’s voice as she shares a childhood memory, or the twinkle in your father’s eye as he recounts an adventure from his youth. These moments breathe life into family relationships, forging bonds that transcend time and distance. Even deep family values can be viewed from that lens. 

And then there are the times of togetherness, the shared laughter around the dinner table or the quiet moments spent watching the sunset. Those are the memories that linger long after the moment has passed.

While text messaging has its place in our day-to-day lives, it can never substitute for the meaningful connections only in-person interactions can create. Even when proximity does not allow for physical presence, technology can bridge the gap through video or audio chat features, enabling loved ones to connect more deeply.

Thank you for joining us on this journey of exploration and discovery. Together, let’s embrace the power of personal connection and celebrate the richness of face-to-face and voice-to-voice interaction. Please…take some time to talk to your parents and grandparents!

When we look back on the story and experiences of our life, it is important to recognize and applaud the influence of those who helped shape it. January, celebrated as Mentorship Month, offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the role mentors play in inspiring transformation in both our personal and professional lives. 

Mentoring, an age-old practice, continues to be a vital part of growth and development in various facets of life. It’s more than just guidance; it’s a symbiotic relationship where both mentor and mentee grow, learn, and benefit. The essence of this relationship lies in the transfer of knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Mentors, with their wealth of experience, offer guidance to navigate challenges, whether they be in a professional setting, academics, or personal growth. Their advice can serve as a compass, helping mentees steer in the right direction, avoid common pitfalls, and make informed decisions. As Steven Spielberg said, “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”

Since I founded Memoirs Productions 24 years ago, I have been fortunate to mentor numerous personal historians along with family office advisors who have crossed my path and who are trying to include legacy preservation in their work. All these interactions have been memorable, as I have learned (almost) as much from them as they have learned from me. In addition, it has been very rewarding for me to see them succeed. 

Recognizing and appreciating mentors is important. Mentorship Month serves as a reminder to express gratitude to those who have guided us. A simple thank you (note/email/phone call), sharing success stories, or acknowledging their influence in our journey can mean a lot to mentors. It is also an opportunity for us to “pay it forward” by mentoring others, thereby continuing the cycle of growth and development for others.

We should all consider becoming mentors. It is giving work where we can contribute to a culture of learning, sharing, and growth that benefits individuals and communities. Mentorship is not just about helping mentees build a brighter future. It is also about creating a more knowledgeable, empathetic, and connected world.