Quality time with 19yo son

[stackpack]

When you hang out with your 19yo, what do you do? I’m looking for suggestions that I can suggest.

He works 40 hours a week doing unsociable shifts and gets two full days off a week but I feel like I never see him and would like to suggest things we can do occasionally together. He’s saving up to go travelling.

We get on great, but I feel like I’m losing our closeness and want to regain it without him feeling like it’s a chore. He is very independent but happy and willing to spend time with me so I just need a few new ideas.

Sounds like my 19 year old who works shifts and has 2 days off in the week but not together.
Also save for travelling!
I go out for brunch with him. Or on a walk

A car ride somewhere to do something - the ride is good for chatting- maybe a decent hike or an activity like axe throwing at the end.

A cheap two night city break- if within budget

Going to see a show of some sort - comedian plus tea

DIY together!

A beach trip just for a walk and toes in the water plus fish and chips in a cafe.

An activity like wild swimming / outdoor saunas / running etc

Bake a cake together

When I was 19 I did very little with my parents! This probably continued for a good few years but i’m 35 now and both my parents are my best friends I couldn’t have a better relationship with them.

I know that doesn’t help you right now - what I will say is when I was younger and I saw my friends going out doing ‘grown up’ things like going for drinks with their parents I would be jealous cause my mum struggles with anxiety and always has done - she also very rarely has a drink just doesn’t like the feeling of being drunk and I’d see my friends do like nice bars with their mums and wish I could do that with mine. What about something like that?

or is he into sports? One of the things I still love doing with my dad is going to a local non league football game. The quality of football isn’t great but it’s a brill day out I find it really nostalgic! Wrapped up warm in the stands with a hot drink and some food followed by an hour in the pub to warm up afterwards!

depends what sort of people you both are as to what you’d enjoy too

My sons
like Nando’s and a film
will go to the gym with me if bullied :)
shopping for clothes
might come for a dog walk.

I wouldn’t say it’s a regular thing. More with the youngest.

Cinema.
Go watch a football game together if he likes football. Maybe your local team rather than PL. Or go watch a local sport that neither of you know much about. Something like ice hockey.
At this time of year, go on a Christmas Light Trail. Tell him he is humouring mum!
Just go to the pub for an evening.
Take your dog for a walk together, if you have one!

Thank you, some lovely ideas 😊

We try:
Dog walk and coffee
nip into town with side visit to farm shop
outlet with food on offer
doing me a ‘favour’ like going to b&q to choose/carry stuff
usually if I involve some sort of food or exercise he is prepared to come and chat to me
both my boys are fab company and I love spending time with them!!

When my same age Dd around we go into town (we live somewhere stunning) I get her a few bits and we have coffee over looking the cathedral.