Helen Skelton: What would you most want to leave your children? — FLAPSS

The question

What would you most want to leave your children?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Verbatim recurring item in The Guardian Q&A; two publisher-hosted respondent pages establish institutional recurrence.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

HS

Helen Skelton

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Good memories. When I’m gone, I want them to feel that they were always my No 1 priority.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Rosalind Eleazar

A sense of what really matters.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 February 2025 source ↗

I don’t have children. I will leave my nieces money because girls need money of their own. Anything to make women independent.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 April 2025 source ↗

The wisdom to become who they are in the truth of their spirit.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗

A sense of wonder.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 April 2025 source ↗

More from Helen Skelton

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Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Chaotic, warm, northern.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question When did you last change your mind about something important? Change of mind

There’s a house near me that I adore and it came up for sale, and I got to the point of nearly buying it and then pulled out because I’m trying to be sensible.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question Which book do you still mean to read, and why has it stayed on your list? Taste & recommendation

My new year resolution is actually to read all the classics and I’m ashamed that I haven’t read everything by the Brontë sisters.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

After the 2012 Olympics I hosted the parade. I had on a little skirt and when the prime minister came on everyone cheered. I thought: “Oh my God, they love David Cameron,” but they were cheering because my skirt had blown up, and I’d flashed my knickers at him.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Jealousy. It’s the thief of joy.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

That you get out of life what you put in. When you grow up on a farm you literally reap what you sow.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

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