To 12- to 15-year-olds, adults can be more of a drag than a delight. But, start to speak their language and you may become the hip-grandparent exception to the rule. Here, three ways to connect with your teen grandkids when they're hanging out at your house.
Bring the past into the present
If a picture says a thousand words, then the real-life stories of old family photos can fill an afternoon. The next time your grandkids come over, show them some old photos to ignite their curiosity in family stories. Then, sit back and await the barrage of questions. Keep it lively by talking about the fashions, the hairdos — even the good-natured gossip surrounding each family member in the photographs.
Encourage them to be creative by suggesting you assemble a collage of photos together. Kicker: Let your grandchild scroll the clever, funny one-line captions!
Spice up a conversation
It’s sometimes tough to engage a teenage grandchild in lively banter. They’re thinking Britney Spears’ latest antics; you're contemplating a new gardening project. That's where Conversations to Go (www.moonjar.com) may come in handy. It's a jar chock-full of inquisitive, open-ended questions to bounce back and forth with your grandkids. Just pull a card from the jar in one of the three categories — general, money, travel — and ask away. As you and your grandkids open up you'll learn more about each other, and you’re bound to have a ball.
Craft a cookbook … together
Surely you have some favorite recipes you’d like to pass down to your grandkids. Turn this vision of sharing Grandma's best artichoke dip and homemade carrot cake into reality. First, write out your favorite recipes -— from appetizer to dessert — using a calligraphy pen. Or, make the recording process more interactive by dictating the recipe to your grandchild as he or she types it on the computer. Then, once the secret family recipes are bound, spend some time in the kitchen with your grandchild testing and tweaking, if need be, the recipes. Cooking is a great way to enjoy an afternoon together — and the tried-and-true finished cookbook makes a fabulous present for the entire family!
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