Aug 8, 2024
Who were your parents before they became who they are today?
Before your parents arrived in this new country, they had a life filled with dreams, hopes, and challenges. They left behind their language, customs and loved ones to start anew. But who did they leave behind? What traditions did they carry with them, and what had to be left in the past?
As their child, you might wonder: What were their thoughts and feelings when they made that life-changing decision to move? How did they navigate the challenges of building a new life while still holding on to the values and memories of their old one?
Understanding their journey is more than just knowing where you come from--it’s about connecting with your heritage and the resilience that shaped your family. By documenting their stories, you are preserving the legacy of where your family started and honoring who your parents have become.
Why It’s Important to Capture These Stories
When you listen to your parents’ stories, you’re not just hearing about the past. You’re learning about where your family comes from and about your parents as individuals. These stories can teach you about the hard work, courage, and love that helped your parents build a new life in a new country. According to National Geographic, family storytelling is a powerful tool for preserving your cultural heritage and passing it down to your children.
By documenting your immigrant parents' stories, you’re ensuring that these memories don’t get lost. Imagine sharing these stories with your own kids someday! They’ll feel closer to grandma and grandpa and recognize that the same pioneering spirit lives within them.
Easy Steps to Get Started
Ready to start? Here are 4 easy steps to document your parents’ stories:
Talk to your parents: Ask them about their childhood, their first job, and the day they decided to move to a new country. Listen carefully and ask follow-up questions. Here are some questions to ask immigrant parents to help you get started.
Write down their answers: Don’t overcomplicate this. Grab a notebook, your phone, or even an app like Otto with voice transcription to keep track of what they say. This step is crucial in preserving family history for future generations.
Ask about important events: What were some big moments in their life? Did they have to make any tough decisions? It’s like saving a piece of history.
Share their stories: Once you’ve gathered their stories, it’s time to share them with your family. This is a great way to keep your parents’ memories alive and to create a family biography that will be treasured by future generations.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Sometimes, it can be tricky to get started. Here are some common challenges you might face and some ways to handle them:
Your Parents Might Be Shy: Sometimes, our parents don’t want to talk about the past because it brings up painful memories. Keep it light. Ask them about their favorite foods as a kid, or start with happy memories.
Rigid hierarchy of relationships: Maybe it’s not that your parents are shy, but there’s a certain hierarchy you’ve grown up with where kids are kids and parents are the ones in charge. This dynamic may persist into adulthood, making it difficult to communicate. In this case, gently broach the topic of wanting to get to know them and together set norms for how you’ll approach these conversations.
Too Many Details: Some stories can go on and on! While it’s great to get all the details, try to focus on the main parts that show what the story is about. Start with the action and the memorable events (big or small) first.
Documenting family histories can be challenging as noted by NPR but by approaching these conversations with sensitivity, respect and empathy, you can grow closer to your parents and see them as living, breathing people who have lived a rich life.
Tips for Making the Process Fun and Engaging
Want to make this process even more fun? Here are a few tips:
Turn It into a Game: You can create a family trivia night where you ask questions about your parents’ lives and see who knows the most!
Use Photos: Look at old family pictures together. Photos can help jog your parents’ memory and bring back stories they might have forgotten.
Create a Story time Tradition: Set a regular time to sit down and listen to your parents’ stories. It could be every Sunday afternoon or during a special family dinner.
Start Your Biography Project with Otto
Now that you know how to start, why not try it today? With Otto, you can easily document your immigrant parents’ life stories and turn them into a beautiful digital book. It’s easy for mom and dad because it’s like talking to a friend. And it comes pre-packaged with a set of great questions to ask your immigrant parents.
Don’t wait—start your biography project with Otto now and preserve your family’s history forever!