Grandchildren

Rahul and Priya spend a joyful afternoon with their grandchildren, telling stories and playing games together.

Meanings in Rahul, Priya, Grandchildren

Key words and phrases

grandchildrenthe children of your son or daughterHe loves spending time with his grandchildren.

grandpa/grandmathe informal terms used for grandparentsThe kids call him Grandpa Rahul.

storytellingthe act of telling storiesStorytelling is his favorite way to spend time with them.

spoilto give someone too many treats or too much freedomGrandparents love to spoil their grandchildren.

playfulfull of fun and energyThe grandchildren were very playful today.

wisdomknowledge gained through life experienceHe shared his wisdom with the children.

cherishto hold something as very preciousHe cherishes every moment with them.

generationa group of people born around the same timeThree generations sat together at dinner.

bedtime storya story told to a child before sleepHe tells them a bedtime story every visit.

preciousof great value or importanceThese are precious moments for him.

lullabya soft song sung to help a child fall asleepPriya sings a lullaby to help them fall asleep.

mischievousplayfully causing trouble or trickeryThe youngest grandchild has a mischievous smile.

hand-me-downan item passed from an older child or relative to a younger oneShe wore a hand-me-down sweater from her cousin.

piggyback ridea ride given by carrying someone on one's backRahul gave his grandson a piggyback ride around the garden.

curfewa set time by which children must return homeTheir parents set a curfew for evening play.

sibling rivalrycompetition or jealousy between brothers and sistersA little sibling rivalry is normal among cousins too.

milestonean important stage or event in someone's developmentGrandparents love celebrating every milestone.

dotingshowing great and excessive fondness for someoneHe is a doting grandfather to all four children.

tuck into make someone comfortable in bed before sleepPriya tucks the grandchildren in every night they stay over.

family bonda strong emotional connection between family membersThese visits strengthen their family bond.

Useful sentences

Ask Grandpa, can you tell us a story?
Answer Of course! Let me tell you about when I was your age.
Ask Can we play a game with you today?
Answer Sure, what game would you like to play?
Ask Are you spoiling them with too many sweets, Papa?
Answer Just a little. That's what grandparents are for!
Ask Can you tell us a bedtime story tonight?
Answer Of course, snuggle up and I'll begin.
Ask Do you enjoy spending time with the grandchildren?
Answer More than anything else in the world.
Ask Can you give me a piggyback ride, Grandpa?
Answer One ride around the garden, coming right up!
Ask Will you sing us a lullaby before we sleep?
Answer Of course, close your eyes and listen carefully.
Ask Why is my little brother always so mischievous?
Answer That's just how energetic little ones are at his age.
Ask Will you tuck us in tonight since we're staying over?
Answer Absolutely, I wouldn't miss it for anything.
Ask Do you remember every milestone in our lives, Grandpa?
Answer I keep them all close to my heart, every single one.

Dialogue

GrandchildGrandpa, tell us a story about when you were young!

RahulAlright, gather around. This one's about my first bicycle.

PriyaHe's told this story a hundred times, but they always love it.

GrandchildGrandma, can we bake cookies with you after?

PriyaOf course, my dear. That sounds like a wonderful idea.

RahulThese afternoons with them are truly precious to us.

GrandchildGrandpa, can I have a piggyback ride after the cookies?

RahulOnly if you promise not to be too mischievous this time!

PriyaAnd after that, it's time to tuck everyone into bed.

GrandchildWill you sing us a lullaby too, Grandma, like always?

Common mistakes

Saying "My son's children" instead of the more natural single word "my grandchildren."
Saying "I am spoiling them too much" as a criticism only — it's often said fondly, e.g. "Grandparents love to spoil their grandchildren."
Saying "Tell story to me" instead of "Tell me a story" (correct word order with the indirect object first).
Saying "Give me piggy ride" instead of "Give me a piggyback ride" (the fixed compound word is "piggyback," not "piggy").
Saying "He is doting on his grandchildren too much" as a negative only — "doting" is usually a warm, affectionate description, e.g. "a doting grandfather."
Saying "Tuck me" instead of "Tuck me in" (the phrasal verb needs the particle "in" to mean settling someone into bed).

Quick quiz

1. What do you call the children of your son or daughter?

2. Complete: "He shared his ___ with the children."

3. What word means to hold something as very precious?

4. What do you call a soft song sung to help a child fall asleep?

5. Complete: "Rahul gave his grandson a ___ ride around the garden."

6. Which word describes someone playfully causing trouble or trickery?

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