The TV sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” communicates a profound family principle in its title. Seriously…the story of how we met our spouse is one of those questions kids really want to know. Actually, it is more than a mere “want to know;” it is a boon, an asset, a huge benefit to children’s emotional health and family life. Research tells us that children who know more about the stories of their family and their family history have a higher self-esteem, a stronger sense of personal control, and a belief that their families function well. They also revealed greater resiliency, bouncing back more easily after stressful events. Adolescents who know more about their family history have a greater sense of self-worth, more self-confidence, and a stronger sense of identity!

Family researchers tell us that children and adolescents who have a greater knowledge of their family story have a strong “intergenerational self.” They know they belong to something bigger than themselves. They have come together with their family for family meals, family gatherings, and family activities and heard the stories of their family. They have learned about the good times, the hard times, the setbacks, the recoveries, and the successes. Through it all , they learned that they come from “something bigger than myself.” That “something bigger” is a family…a family that sticks together through thick and thin…a family that survives…a family that accepts struggles but bounces back…a family…and not just any family but their family!

So, go ahead and tell your children the story of how you met their mother or father. Tell them about your crazy aunt’s all-encompassing hugs, your grandparents hobbies, your own embarrassing moments, the obstacles your family has overcome, the day they were born, and…the list goes on! While you’re at it, you might tell the “stories” asked about in the research described above. Here are the 20 questions they asked children to see how much of the “family story” they knew.

• Do you know how your parents met?
• Do you know where your mother grew up?
• Do you know where your father grew up?
• Do you know where some of your grandparents grew up?
• Do you know where some of your grandparents met?
• Do you know where your parents were married?

• Do you know what went on when you were being born?

• Do you know the source of your name?

• Do you know some things about what happened when your brothers or sisters were being born?

• Do you know which person in your family you look most like?
• Do you know the person in your family you act the most like?

• Do you now some of the illnesses and injuries that your parents experienced when they were younger?
• Do you know some of the lessons that your parents learned from good or bad experiences?
• Do you know some things that happened to your mom or dad when they were in school?
• Do you know the national background of your family (such as English, German, Russian, etc.)?
• Do you know some of the jobs that your parents had when they were young?

• Do you know some awards that your parents received when they were young?

• Do you know the names of the schools that your mom went to?

• Do you know the names of the school that your dad went to?

• Do you know about a relative whose face “froze” in a grumpy position because he or she did not smile enough?

One last thing…my wife loves to watch home videos of family. She has the right idea–home movies are a great way to share the story. So, gather the family, make some popcorn, pull up a chair, and watch that baby take her first steps again!