September Editor's Letter

Each September we celebrate Grandparents Day. For several years, my mom and dad took the girls to a nice restaurant to teach them the art of fine dining. Lessons included not only table manners, but also topics like how to make small talk with guests you may not know well. I know that my girls enjoyed the time out with their grandparents while learning useful life skills. Time spent with grandparents can have great benefits for not only grandkids, but the grandparents as well. Check out Judy Goppert’s article.

Speaking of dining out, I’ve always enjoyed dinner at a restaurant. When I was a child, we didn’t eat out often as a family. We had six kids in the family, and I’m sure it was quite a chore to take all of us out. Plus, back in the day folks didn’t eat out as frequently as we do today. For me, a great night out is a leisurely, full-course meal that takes the entire evening—not really feasible with young kids—but dining out as a family certainly has become a common occurrence. It can be worthwhile, too. Though it can be a big undertaking, restaurant dining together makes a great opportunity to connect as a family and a teachable moment to introduce everyday life skills. For a list of not only the benefits of dining out, but some great kid-friendly options, check out Julie Collett’s article here.

Fall officially begins this month, which means lots of family fun in Kansas City! Be sure to check out our calendar, here in print and online at KCParent.com, to find a list of all the great activities for fall family fun in KC. And be sure to watch for our pumpkin patch guide in the October issue!

Enjoy the start of fall, Kansas City!