Questions to Ask Your Aunt: 60+ Conversation Starters
Article Snapshot
- Aunts offer unique perspectives on family history your parents might not share
- Questions about your parent's childhood reveal stories you've never heard
- Aunts often know family secrets and stories from before you were born
- Building a relationship with your aunt strengthens extended family bonds
- Recording aunt interviews preserves family history from multiple viewpoints
Your aunt holds a treasure trove of family stories. She knew your parents before they were parents. She remembers family events you were too young to recall or weren't born for yet. She has her own perspective on family history that differs from what your parents tell you.
I have gathered 60+ questions designed for conversations with your aunt. These prompts help you learn about her life, hear stories about your parents' childhood, and strengthen a relationship that often gets overlooked. Whether she's your mom's sister, your dad's sister, or an aunt by marriage, these questions will spark meaningful conversations.
For conversations with other family members, visit our complete Questions to Ask Family Members guide with 640+ prompts for every relationship.
Questions About Her Childhood
Your aunt's childhood stories reveal what life was like for your family in an earlier generation. These questions help her share memories from before you existed.
- What is your earliest memory?
- What was your childhood home like?
- Who was your best friend growing up? What were they like?
- What did you get in trouble for as a kid?
- What games or activities did you love as a child?
- What was a typical day like when you were growing up?
- What is your fondest childhood memory?
- Who was your childhood hero?
- What local legends or stories were you told growing up?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
Childhood stories often include your parent as a character. Your aunt might share memories your mom or dad has forgotten or never told you.
Questions About Your Parent's Childhood
Here's where aunts shine. They knew your parent as a child, teenager, and young adult. They have stories your parent might not tell about themselves.
- What was my mom/dad like as a kid?
- What did you and my parent do together when you were young?
- What got my parent in trouble that they don't know you know about?
- What was my parent's most embarrassing moment as a kid?
- Who did my parent date before they met my other parent?
- What was my parent like as a teenager?
- What dreams did my parent have when they were young?
- How did my parent change after meeting my other parent?
- What do you remember about when I was born?
- What stories about my parent would surprise me?
These questions often lead to the best stories. Aunts love sharing tales that humanize your parents and show sides of them you've never seen.
Questions About Growing Up Together
If your aunt is your parent's sibling, she shares a childhood with them. These questions explore their relationship as siblings.
- How would you describe your relationship with my parent growing up?
- What was your biggest fight about? Did you ever make up?
- What did you admire about my parent when you were kids?
- Were you competitive with each other? About what?
- What tradition or inside joke do you share with my parent?
- How are you and my parent similar? How are you different?
- What did your parents expect from each of you?
- Who got into more trouble, you or my parent?
- What is your favorite memory with my parent?
Sibling dynamics reveal family patterns. You might see similarities between your aunt and parent's relationship and your own with your siblings.
Questions About Family History
Aunts often know family history that hasn't been passed down to younger generations. They remember grandparents, great-aunts, and family events from decades ago.
- What do you remember about our grandparents?
- What family traditions do you hold most dear, and how did they originate?
- What stories about our ancestors have been passed down?
- Where did our family come from originally?
- What family traditions have been lost over the years?
- Are there any family heirlooms or artifacts with interesting stories?
- Who in our family history would you want to meet?
- What family secrets have you learned over the years?
- How has our family changed since you were young?
Family history questions often reveal connections you didn't know about. Your aunt might explain why certain traditions exist or share stories about relatives who passed before you were born.
Questions About Her Life Journey
Your aunt has her own story beyond her role in your family. These questions help you learn about her life, career, and experiences.
- How did you choose your career? What did you enjoy about it?
- How did you meet your spouse or partner?
- What are you most proud of in your life?
- What is something you wish you had known earlier in life?
- What were three of the most positive moments of your life?
- What core beliefs or values have guided you throughout your life?
- What challenges have you overcome that shaped who you are?
- What brings you joy and fulfillment in your daily routine today?
- What advice would you give your younger self?
Life journey questions show your aunt as a complete person, not just a family role. Her experiences and wisdom are valuable on their own.
Questions About Her Perspective
Aunts see family dynamics from a different angle than parents. Their perspective can be illuminating and sometimes more honest.
- What have you learned about people and humanity over the years?
- What do you appreciate now that you didn't when you were younger?
- What advice do you have about raising children?
- What values do you hope to pass on to future generations?
- What lessons from your life do you think are crucial for younger people today?
- How has your perspective on family changed as you've aged?
- What do you wish you could tell your nieces and nephews?
Aunts sometimes share advice parents won't. They can be a trusted source of wisdom without the same authority dynamic.
Fun Questions to Ask Your Aunt
Lighthearted questions build connection and often lead to the best stories.
- What's the most embarrassing thing you've seen my parent do?
- What family recipe do you make better than anyone else?
- What was your worst haircut or fashion choice?
- What's the funniest thing that happened at a family gathering?
- What movie, song, or book reminds you of our family?
- What family member do people say I remind them of?
- What is the best gift you ever received?
- What's your unpopular opinion about something our family believes?
Fun questions often reveal the most memorable stories. Your aunt might share a legendary family moment you've only heard bits of.
Making These Conversations Happen
Here are tips for having meaningful conversations with your aunt:
Make dedicated time. Don't try to have deep conversations during busy family gatherings. Ask to have coffee or a meal together.
Start with the easy questions. Begin with childhood memories or fun stories before asking about sensitive family history.
Record the conversation. With her permission, use your phone to capture audio or video. These recordings become family treasures.
Share your own stories too. Conversation flows better when it's not an interview. Share what's happening in your life.
Follow up on interesting threads. If she mentions something intriguing, ask more. The best stories often need encouragement.
For more guidance on family conversations, explore our complete guide to questions for family members with prompts for every relationship.
Why Aunt Relationships Matter
Aunts play a unique role in family systems. They're close enough to understand family dynamics but removed enough to offer fresh perspective. Building a relationship with your aunt strengthens the extended family network and gives you access to family history from multiple viewpoints.
At Telloom, we help families capture these relationships through guided video conversations. Our 640+ expert prompts cover family history, childhood memories, and legacy questions perfect for aunt interviews. But whether you use professional services or simply have a long phone call, what matters is making space for these conversations.
Your aunt's stories are part of your family's story. Her memories of your parents, grandparents, and family events help you understand where you come from. Start asking these questions before these stories fade.
Your aunt has stories waiting to be told. Reach out and ask.