Simple Ways to Connect with Your Teen: Take Them to Their Favorite Eatery

Today’s suggestion is as simple as it gets! And it’s got a very high chance of being a teen-pleaser, regardless of your teen’s particular interests. Invite your teen out for a one-on-one at their favorite place to eat. Fast food, dine-in, coffee shop, dessert spot, or whatever. Let your teen pick the place, or invite them to that spot you know they love. And then get yourself mentally prepared to follow two basic guidelines: 1. Don’t interrogate them – allow a natural conversation to unfold. 2. Listen respectfully to what they choose to share, and ask genuinely curious questions about what they seem to enjoy talking about with you.
THAT’S IT! I told you it was super simple. Just look at this picture of my son and me at his current favorite dining spot – the original Raising Cane’s restaurant on LSU campus. He usually gets somewhat annoyed with me when I ask him to pose for an “ussie” with me. So trust me when I tell you that genuine smile on his face is pure Raising Cane’s glow! He always enjoys when I take him to his favorite chicken finger joint anywhere in town, and we almost always have a really good flowing conversation. The bonus of taking him to this particular location at the heart of his current territory is that it just naturally gets him talking about what’s going on in his life on campus. And that lets me know what’s really going on in his world – and how I can best be there for him to support and encourage his journey!

WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!!!