1. What’s the one thing you would have done differently as a mom?
2. Why did you choose to be with my father?
3. In what ways do you think I’m like you? And not like you?
4. Which one of your kids do you like the best?
5. Is there anything you’ve always wanted to tell me but never have?
6. Do you think it’s easier or harder to be a mother now than when you were raising our family?
7. Is there anything you regret not having asked your mom?
8. What’s the best thing I can do for you right now?
9. Is there anything that you wish had been different between us - or that you would still like to change?
10. When did you realize you were no longer a child?

Credit for these insightful queries goes to author Judith Newman, who wrote a lovely article about the subject in the May 2009 issue of Real Simple