By Lisa T. Bergren

On a parents-only trip? Or just escaping the kidlets for the night? Try something novel and NOT talk about the children for an evening. The most important relationship to a child is the parent-parent relationship, so strengthening/improving your communication and relationship is truly an act of service for the kids. So, avoid topics of school, sports, discipline, etc, and concentrate on the one you first loved…

(1) Looking back, what top three life events most shaped who you are now?

(2) What is the hardest part of your day? Why?

–How could I make it easier for you?

(3) Is there some place you would like to travel to, but you think I wouldn’t go with you?

–What is it about the place that draws you?

–Would you ever go alone, or with a buddy? OR I’m convinced! When/how can we work out the trip?

(4) If you had $100,000 to give to a charity, which charity would you choose, and why?

(5) If you could be doing a different job, and money/location/etc was no object, what would it be, and why?

(6) You’ve just been elected president of the USA. What are the top three things you would get done during your time in office?

(7) What are the key factors to living a satisfied, fulfilling life?

(8) What/who is currently influencing you the most? (Whether it be perspective, thought, or inspiration.)

–Why do you admire/follow them?

(9) What’s one thing we could do to improve our communication by tomorrow? By next week? By next month?

(10) What do you think our relationship will be like in ten years?

–If it’s good, how do we stay on track?

–If it’s bad, how do we find our way to a better path?

Do you have a good conversation starter? Please share it, below!

Photo credit: AndyL, iStockphoto