What was taking place in your parents’ lives when you were conceived and born is important for your self-understanding. The environment at that time helped shape who you would become. It shaped how your parents saw you and how they would treat you as they raised you. Was there hardship in their lives: financial stress or little outside emotional support? What did your parents say you were like as a baby and toddler – fussy, hard to soothe, easy to care for? Who did they believe you took after in terms of your personality and why? These are some good questions to ask your parents. Answers to these questions will aid your self-understanding.