6 questions to ask your mom before you turn 25, since she’s truly your best resource

In celebration of International Women’s Day, you’re probably thinking about the woman who made your existence possible — your mom. Sure, she gets a day to herself, but let’s be honest. She deserves way more. There are so many questions you want to ask your mom before you turn 25, since trust us — she’ll be your best resource on how to live life. (And when you’re 25, there are a lot of life changes you’ll experience. It’s pretty much the definition of “young adult.”)

Not to be grim, but the sad reality is that you’re not guaranteed a lifetime with your parents.

If you’ve never sat down and had a real conversation with either of them, now’s a good time to try and get to know them a little better.

Here are a few starter questions that your Mom will be more than thrilled to answer for you.

1“How did you know Dad was the one?”

Families come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s very possibly that Dad wasn’t the one. You might have two mothers, or a single mother, or a stepfather who you absolutely adore. The main thing you want to know is how your mom fell in love. Or, how she knew a relationship wasn’t right for her.

Romantic relationships are a huge challenge in life. If you’re still navigating your own, it’s good to get some insight from your mom. She probably knows way more than you think.

2“Did you always know you wanted kids?

A lot of women don’t. And a lot of women feel pressured into having them. When you’re 25, you’re looking at the big picture a little bit. You’re probably more focused on settling down, and have a better idea of how the next five years will go.

On the other hand, she might give you a few indicators that make you realize that you do want to have kids.

Hey, no matter what, you might get a few stories about what a cute kid you were growing up. Those are always confidence-boosters, for sure.

3“What was your pregnancy like?”

A lot of symptoms are hereditary. Sometimes, the way your mom carried a baby will be similar to how you’ll carry a baby. Genetics are a crazy thing.

Knowing about a past pregnancy is a lot like knowing health history. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but it’s always good to have an idea of what might happen in the future.

4“What hobbies were you interested in back in the day?

This is important for a few reasons. For one, you’re obviously showing that you’re interested in your mom. But secondly, it’s good to remember that your mom likely made a lot of sacrifices as far as free time went when you were born.

Talking about a past hobby might inspire her to delve into it again. Or, maybe it’s something she could teach you.

5“What was your biggest struggle in the workplace?

The concept of a “working mother” is, sadly, still somewhat new. If your mom worked in an office, she probably has a lot of stories. She can also tell you how she handled the work/home balance, which is often tough to do. (And chances are, she maintained that balance without a lot of praise at the time. She’s truly a superhero for that.)

6“How did you get over a broken heart?”

You’ve probably met a ton of people who “just aren’t ready for marriage right now.” For some reason, people tend to freak out when they reach their mid-20’s. They’re not ready to let go of the party lifestyle but fear the fact that they’ll soon be viewed as “too old” to partake.

Your parents likely had relationships before each other. And as expected, those relationships didn’t work out. Ask your mom about some of the goofiest guys she dated in the past, and ask her for her best coping techniques. You’ll probably get a few hilarious stories out of it.