Exploring Presence Through Family Conversation

At the Table engages the monthly theme through question-driven family discussions. The questions are designed to be used at a family gathering, most often dinner, but also during a quiet moment in the living room, before a board game night, or while driving in the car. This section strengthens the bonds within a family as members learn more about each other by asking and answering evocative questions. 

How To Go About It 

The most straightforward way to do this is simply to have parents and/or caregivers read off the questions they think will resonate the most with family members and have everyone take turns answering.   

Another fun way to do this is to create a family question jar. Print the questions below and cut them to make “question strips.” You can then pull out the question jar and have family members choose a question/strip a few times each week.

Discussion Questions 

1. Who has taught you the most about being present and living in the moment?
   
   
2. Do you believe in the presence of magic? If so, what does magic look like, sound like, or feel like? If you don’t believe in magic, is there something you have imagined that is so wonderfully “magical” you wish it was real?
   
   
3. Besides opening presents, what is your favorite thing to be present for during the winter holidays?
   
   
4. During winter, sunlight is a lot less present than the rest of the year? What is one thing you like and one thing you don’t like about this season of darker days?
   
   
5. During the holidays, we often miss and feel the presence of those who have died. Is there a family member or pet you are especially missing this holiday season? If you could say something to them, what would it be?
   
   
6. Memories fill the present moment during the winter holidays. What is your favorite winter holiday memory?
   
   
7. How do you know what makes something a good present/gift for someone else?
   
   
8. Why does giving presents & gifts to others feel good to you?
   
   
9. What is the best present/gift you ever received? What made it the best?
   
   
10. What is the best present/gift you gave to someone else?
    
    
11. What is one holiday movie that you’d love to be present every year and never get tired of watching? What makes it so special?
    
    
12. Some people think of “being present” as being still and focused. Who in your family would win a stillness contest?
    
    
13. Why is being present important?