As a midlife grandparent, I love nothing more than spending quality time with my pre- and teen-age grandchildren. However, dining out with them can sometimes be a bit tricky. In this article, I’ll share some of my top tips for making your grandchild’s dining experience enjoyable, engaging, and memorable.
Find the right Restaurant
Dining out with your grandchildren can be a great way to bond with them and make lasting memories. However, it can be challenging to find a restaurant that everyone will enjoy. One option that is sure to be a hit with pre-teen and teenage grandchildren is trivia night at a restaurant. Many restaurants offer trivia nights, which are fun and engaging, and provide an opportunity to learn something new. This can be a great way to spark interesting conversations and engage with your grandchildren in a lighthearted way. Additionally, many restaurants offer unique and exciting menus for trivia nights, which can add an extra level of excitement to the experience.
Another option is to try a new type of cuisine that your grandchildren may not have experienced before. Sushi or Korean BBQ are two examples of unique and fun dining experiences that can be a great way to introduce new foods and cultures to your grandchildren. This can be a fun and exciting way to expand your grandchildren’s culinary horizons and expose them to new experiences.
Finally, many cities have interactive dining experiences such as murder mystery dinners or escape room dining, which can be a fun and engaging way to spend an evening with your grandchildren. These types of experiences provide an opportunity to work together and solve a mystery while enjoying a delicious meal.
Engage in Conversation
One of the challenges of dining with pre-teen and teenage grandchildren can be finding common ground for conversation. To keep the conversation flowing, it can be helpful to ask your grandchildren about their interests and hobbies. This can provide a great starting point for conversation and help you learn more about what your grandchildren are passionate about.
Another option is to talk about your own experiences and stories from your youth. Your grandchildren may be interested in hearing about what life was like when you were their age and how things have changed over the years. This can be a great way to share your own life experiences and provide insight into your own personal history.
Finally, it can be helpful to ask your grandchildren about their plans for the future. This can provide a great opportunity to offer advice and guidance, and to help your grandchildren think about their goals and aspirations. This can be a great way to bond with your grandchildren and offer support and guidance as they navigate the challenges of growing up.
Keep it Light
As a grandparent, I’m always looking for ways to engage with my grandkids. One of the best ways to do that is to keep conversations light and fun. We can talk about their hobbies, interests, and stories they may have to tell. Let’s try to steer clear of topics like politics and religion, as those can lead to an awkward or tense atmosphere.
When it comes to their parents, it can be tempting to chime in with an opinion, but it’s probably best to avoid doing so. Instead, let’s focus on providing positive feedback and encouragement about whatever the conversation may be about.
Finally, don’t forget to share your own stories with them. Not only will this help to build a special connection between you, but your grandkids will likely be spellbound by your tales of days gone by!
Avoid Embarrassment
While dining out with your grandchildren can be a fun and exciting experience, it is important to be mindful of their feelings and avoid embarrassing them. One way to do this is to dress appropriately for the occasion. Dressing too casually or too formally can make your grandchildren uncomfortable, so it is important to find the right balance.
Another way to avoid embarrassing your grandchildren is to be mindful of your behavior. Avoid telling embarrassing stories or making inappropriate comments, as these can make your grandchildren uncomfortable and undermine the positive experience of dining out together.
Finally, it can be helpful to ask your grandchildren for their input and feedback throughout the meal. This can provide a great opportunity to check in and make sure that everyone is enjoying themselves and feeling comfortable. By being mindful of your grandchildren’s feelings and working to create a positive and engaging experience, you can help ensure that they will love dining out with you and look forward to future meals together.
Encourage Independence
Are you looking for ways to help your grandchild gain confidence when dining out? With a few simple tips, you can help them practice their communication skills and feel empowered to make their own decisions.
Begin by giving your grandchild the chance to pick the restaurant they would like to eat at. Then, allow them to talk directly to the server to give their order or make changes to the order. This will give your grandchild the experience of what it’s like to order from a server.
It’s also important to make sure your grandchild feels comfortable and confident when interacting with the server. Encourage them to make eye contact, use clear and polite language, and listen carefully to what the server says. Lastly, don’t forget to praise your grandchild after they’ve ordered. Giving them a pat on the back for speaking up and trying something new can go a long way.
By following these tips, you can help your grandchild become confident and comfortable when ordering from a server. With a little practice, they’ll be ordering like pros in no time!
Have fun
Dining out with my grandchild is a special experience. It’s an opportunity for me to create memories and have fun with one another. So, I don’t take it too seriously – I encourage laughing, jokes , and try to make the most of our time together. Your grandchild will appreciate the effort and will have a great time if you take the time to make it enjoyable and memorable.
No matter what you choose to do, make sure to have fun and make it an enjoyable experience for both of you. Dining out with pre-teen and teenage grandchildren can be a fantastic way to bond and create lasting memories. Finding the right restaurant, engaging in conversation, keeping it light, avoiding embarrassment, and encouraging independence are all essential ingredients for a successful dining experience with your grandkids.
