Let’s talk about all the things your grandchildren hate…about you!
Being a grandparent is one of life’s greatest joys, am I right? You get to love, spoil, and share wisdom with a new, fresh, and cute generation…without the pressure of being the full-time parent.
What I love most about my grandchildren is that I can spend as much time as I want with them, and when we get bored with each other, I just call my kids to come pick them up, and then I can go about my regular life.
But here’s the thing: times have changed, and so have children. What once seemed sweet, helpful, or even funny today might come off as annoying, cringy, or simply outdated to our little ones.
Don’t worry, though; it doesn’t mean they don’t love us. But if you’ve ever gotten an eye roll, a long sigh, or the classic “ok, boomer” look like I did more times than I can count, you’ve probably triggered one of their many silent frustrations.
I hate to break it down to you, but there are quite a few things your grandchildren hate about you. I’ve learned this the hard way, and after many trials and errors, I can confidently say that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
Today’s article isn’t to shame anyone’s grandparenting abilities. It’s all about bridging the gap. The more you understand what makes the little ones tick (or what ticks them off), the stronger and lovelier your bond will be.
So, let’s not keep this intro any longer, because we all want to become the greatest parents in the world, am I right? Without further ado, here are the things your grandchildren hate about you:
1. Bringing up “back in my day” too often
Yes, you walked to school in the snow, uphill both ways. You did your homework by candlelight or walked for miles when the bus or train wasn’t working. Many of us have been there, but the younger generations don’t want to hear about it all the time.
Your struggles were real, but so are theirs. Kids nowadays have different issues, and if every problem they share is met with “Well, when I was your age…” it can come off as dismissive.
Instead of comparing what happened then and what happens now, try to understand and validate what they’re going through. Times might be different now, but the need for empathy remains a constant.
Listen first, ask questions, offer help, and then relate. When you resonate with their issues, they’ll find your stories helpful and more engaging.
…There are many other things your grandchildren hate, so keep reading to find out the juicy stuff!
2. Asking about relationships. Constantly
“Are you seeing someone yet?” “I can’t wait to have grandbabies.” These questions are valid, but if they haunt every family dinner like ghosts of expectations past, they will easily become one of the things your grandchildren hate about you.
Everyone knows you mean well, but they might think you pressure them into making a difficult life choice. Maybe they’re not ready, or maybe they’re just experimenting with someone without thinking too much about the future. Or maybe they simply want to focus on their career, studies, or living life.
Instead of asking them when they’ll start dating or settle down, try asking them what makes them happy right now. You might learn something incredibly beautiful and even bond with your grandchildren, too.
3. Telling them they’re “too sensitive”
Whether it’s a joke that didn’t land or a casual comment about someone’s weight, saying things like “kids these days are just too sensitive” won’t help you get any closer. Trust me, your grandchildren hate that! Not because they want to fight with you, but because it makes them self-conscious.
Words have more power than we think, and saying things that won’t affect you doesn’t mean they won’t bother those around you. The little ones know you didn’t grow up with trigger warnings, but they wish you’d show more curiosity and empathy instead of quickly brushing everything off.
Respect goes both ways, and nothing earns it faster than saying something like “I’m sorry, I hadn’t thought of it that way.” Everyone makes mistakes, but admitting you were wrong and learning how to properly communicate with your grandchildren is one of the best things you can do for your relationship.
4. Never reaching out
This, of course, doesn’t apply to every grandparent, but for many people, reaching out to their little one doesn’t seem like an option. Spoiler alert: your grandchildren hate that, especially if they’re old enough to have a bond with you.
They notice when they’re always calling, texting first, or trying to set up visits. For some people, reciprocity is so important that if the relationship doesn’t feel mutual, they don’t even bother to reach out anymore.
Your grandkids don’t expect daily check-ins, but a random call or surprise message can mean the world.
I grew up with a grandmother who always expected us to call, visit, and help when needed. When one of my cousins didn’t call her for months, she would complain about it to those of us who did—like me.
One day, I got tired of hearing the same complaint and gently told her, “You could always call them yourself instead of gossiping about it.” Her response? “I am the grandmother; I should be respected.” You can probably guess the outcome—those grandkids she kept complaining about continued to call her just as rarely.
Moral of the story? Reaching out shows you care. It reminds your grandchildren that your bond isn’t just tied to holidays and birthdays. It’s built on mutual love, effort, and a desire to stay connected. That’s what makes a big, happy family, right?
5. Refusing their help
Another thing your grandchildren hate? You refusing their help. Whether it’s offering to carry groceries, pay a bill, set up your phone, or fix your Wi-Fi, you wave them off like they just suggested putting you in a home.
Your independence is deeply respected, of course, but your grandchildren want to help you. It makes them feel useful, trusted, and closer to you. Think of it as a small act of love. Accepting help doesn’t mean you can’t do things on your own; it just means you’re letting someone care for you in return.
Still not convinced? Here’s something that might make you smile: when you let them help and they mess it up, you get to say, “I told you so!” And nothing beats a classic grandparent zinger, right?
6. Overfeeding them
This is more of a love-hate thing, but it’s still worth talking about. I’m personally guilty of this, and something tells me I’m not the only one. Your grandchildren walk through the door, and suddenly they’re being offered snacks, soup, dessert, and maybe even a second dinner—all within half an hour.
They know food is your love language, and honestly, they do want to taste everything you make. But unbuttoning their pants just to survive a weekend visit? Not ideal.
Feeding them is sweet—and maybe even a cherished tradition—but try offering instead of insisting. Let them choose without having to dodge your famous “just one bite” pitch. Trust me, they’ll enjoy it more if it doesn’t feel like a culinary ambush.
Takeaway
Even though this article was all about things your grandchildren hate, don’t read too much into it. They love you with all their hearts—but they’re also human, which means not everything you say or do will always align with their personalities.
Like any meaningful relationship, your bond takes time to build. Be patient, encourage open communication, show them how important they are to you, and don’t be afraid to be yourself. That’s what they’ll love most.
And if you’re ready to have fun and make memories at the same time, here’s a game that’ll have everyone laughing! And the Best Grandparent Award goes to…
Until next time, here’s another great post from Inspiring Wishes you won’t want to miss: 4 Psychic Signs Someone Can’t Get You Off Their Mind
