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Grandparenting

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(80 Posts)
marylane1996 Thu 26-Oct-17 09:22:12

I have always had a great relationship with my 19 year old granddaughter and was quite upset when I gave her a hundred pound for her birthday and got no thank you for it. One kind person replied that I shouldn't have nagged her but asking once if she had had time to spend it is hardly nagging. I haven't spoken to her since June but have sent a couple of texts just saying HELLO and no reply. I received one reply in July saying it was nothing I had done and she was fine and would call me that weekend. She didn't. Its my birthday next week and I know she wont send a card as she hasn't in the past she just lies and says it must have got lost in the post or she will hand it to me when she sees me. My relationship with her mother is fractured and I cant talk to her as her mental health issues cause her to fly off the handle. I am so sad about this as my GS always shows great appreciation for gifts though he is a good deal younger at 11. Any suggestions ladies as I feel she has just walked out of my life

Diddy1 Fri 27-Oct-17 15:24:44

19 or not, she should have thanked you for the very generous gift, no excuse!
As others have said a card, or card and voucher for Christmas, maybe she will thank you, if not do nothing more, she doesnt deserve any presents from you.
You sound a lovely person, sending you a hug.

suebe1 Fri 27-Oct-17 16:57:03

It is really sad for you that she is behaving like that towards you. I agree some of it can be put down to being a teenager, but at 19 she is almost adult. There is still no excuse for bad manners, a text to say thank you would take seconds. Maybe at Christmas just send a card and say your present is wrapped and is here waiting for you, it will be lovely to see you when you have time to call in to collect it – at least you will get to see her that way.

HurdyGurdy Fri 27-Oct-17 17:50:33

I am astonished that anyone is suggesting that someone's age and stage of life is an excuse for having no manners. If someone gives you a gift, no matter what it is, it should be acknowledged. Or did we raise our kids to go on to raise the following generation to believe that they are "entitled" and do not need to show any manners?

I don't know what to suggest to the OP, as I can imagine how hurt she must feel.

My mantra is - if you can't be bothered to acknowledge a gift, then I can't be bothered to send any more. Hellfire, the youngsters today text at an astonishing rate of knots, so it would take no more than 20 seconds to message either by text of FB message to say thank you.

lizzy67 Fri 27-Oct-17 18:45:50

thank you's are always a hurtful thing when they don't arrive. Some years ago I sent my 9-year old granddaughter a 'just because' gift. several days later I received a phone call from her saying 'thank you Granny, but it's not really my thing.' I was gobsmacked. I have never done that again, but there again, her parents won't let me see my grandkids. Their loss, I believe!

luluaugust Fri 27-Oct-17 19:30:45

The art of actually writing a note or card is a bit like the dodo, only small grandchildren seem to do it now assisted by mum and including a drawing, everyone else seems to text or email, I agree she should have done this, however, I can just about remember being 19, my grandparents had all gone by then but o'h it was boring to sit down with a load of thank you's to do at Xmas (did do them). Is there any way you could engineer a meet up. Like the idea of sending the card and saying you will give the money when you see them.

Shizam Fri 27-Oct-17 19:51:19

Definitely don’t do an angry route at this. Keep it light. Do you have WhatsApp? Instagram? Go through old photos and send her one on there every now and again. It’s free. With a light-hearted message. Or send something daft to her you’ve seen online. Tell her you love her and miss her. Didn’t see the bit about lying. But I’m afraid young and old people do lie. Forgive and forget. She will come back to you when she’s not busy having fun!

Haydnpat Fri 27-Oct-17 21:24:15

Doesn't matter what age she is, manners are manners!

Kurmetthefrog Fri 27-Oct-17 22:01:30

I wouldn't take it too personally, I know you must feel sad. But she is a teenager and they can often be ungreatful and full of their own world and problems. She's at a busy time in her life, and may not mean to be like this to you. I don't really remember seeing to my own nan much between the ages of 15-20. But when I had my first daughter and was on maternity leave I spent everyday at my nans house, and we enjoyed many lovely times together, and we're the best of friends. So I wouldn't be worried this will be forever, I think she's just been a typical teenager

Eglantine21 Fri 27-Oct-17 22:08:33

Is nobody else really uncomfortable with the idea that the OP (or anyone in a rekationship of any kind for that matter) uses money to maintain contact with her granddaughter. I'll give you some money but only if you come to see me? Bribery? Withholding? Exerting control?
It would have me running for the hills if someone tried to control me like that. There have been other posts where the OPs talk about how they have given loads of gifts and money and they're not getting what they thought they had bought ie attention or devotion. I'm not saying the OP did that but some of these suggestions make my toes curl!

FlorenceFlower Fri 27-Oct-17 23:00:46

I adored my grandmother but there certainly was a stage in my life, late teens and early twenties, when I was very lax in seeing her or replying to anything! I got better and started spending more time, staying for the weekend etc. I was heartbroken when she died when I was 36.

I think that you are upset about the lies ...... but saying that a card is on its way is more omission than fiendish lie, and the good old ‘lost in the post’ is shorthand for (in my case anyway) I bought a card, and it’s here somewhere, and I love you and when I get a moment and when I get a stamp .... !

You have had some wonderful suggestions from other people on this post, but in my opinion, do keep it light, don’t (appear to) nag and keep cool about it all, if you can. ?

meandashy Sat 28-Oct-17 06:53:43

My mum is in your situation Marylane. My dd (23) & my niece (18) don't reply to her text messages as often as she would like. I know from my daughter's situation she is working full time & has a very chaotic home life. It isn't that she doesn't care, she just is caught up in life. I do prompt occasionally when my mum moans to me about it but I honestly find this difficult playing piggy in the middle. My dd doesn't always respond well to me reminding her to reply.
I think, sadly, it's the way of the world. If you find sending presents for no thanks untenable then don't. Harbouring feelings of resentment is only damaging to yourself ?

maddy629 Sat 28-Oct-17 07:17:36

marylane1996 I was so sorry to read this,as a gran who enjoys a good relationship with all 5 of my grandchildren, I don't really have any advice but I do agree with Luckygirl, send your granddaughter a text and take it from there but don't expect too much.

loopyloo Sat 28-Oct-17 07:28:20

Very sorry, but if someone gives you £100 , you should at least send a text to say thank you.
Not to do so is very rude.
Next year just send a card. This young lady will have problems in her life if she treats people this way.

Bambam Sat 28-Oct-17 10:47:25

I also have a great relationship with my twin Gd's now at Uni miles away.
I wouldn't worry too much about the missing Thank you from her. I give my two £100 birthdays and Christmas and transfers inbetween for the odd fifty quid.
From talking to them I know their life is a whirlwind of tutorials, studying, keeping fit, shopping and cooking for themselves (Bless them).
Sometimes I've had a Thank you off one and not the other,or both of them, or none of them.
I know in my heart that when those girls receive the money they will say "Ooooo! Thank you Grandma" I know they appreciate it, so it dosnt bother me.
I may next time we speak, ask have they bought anything with it and usually get, "Oh yes, a fabulous Trespass jacket, thankyouuuuuuu Grandma!
I know they appreciate anything that I give them. I don't need officiall thankyou's. I love them unconditionally.

Smileless2012 Sat 28-Oct-17 15:30:12

It's very sad to see how things have changed, that a simple 'thank you' is often not regarded as an appropriate response for a gift received.

Yet I'm sure for the majority, 'thank you' is the response given automatically to some one, a stranger, who for example holds a door open so why not the same courtesy for a relative or friend who takes the time to send a gift.

Our friends' son re married earlier this year and we put money in a card as a wedding gift; no 'thank you' was received. The same friends' D had a baby last year and we bought a little outfit but again no 'thank you' was forth coming. Their other D had a baby last week but we wont bother to send a gift this time.

Even our D d.i.l. fails to acknowledge the gifts we send for Christmas and birthdays, and those are sent all the way to Aus.hmm. I end up asking our son if the things we've sent have been received.

Manners don't cost anything and if someone is happy to take a gift they should be prepared to say 'thank you'. As some posters have stated, there seems to be plenty of time to spend texting and on FB so how much of their valuable time would it take to make the appropriate response for a gift received.

Nanny123 Sat 28-Oct-17 17:07:39

My step daughter never thanks us for any presents that we buy her and that really annoys me, she is old enough (she is 30) and should know better. She never sends her dad a Father’s Day card or a birthday card, yet as soon as she wants money she is round asking for it. Makes me sad to be honest.

Caroline123 Sat 28-Oct-17 17:40:01

While I agree a thankyou for the £100 is in order, many 19 year olds are just completely self absorbed and don't think beyond what they want. I know it should be different but it often isn't. Don't send any more gifts,she'll be in touch to ask if you're OK as she's missing the gifts!

Eglantine21 Sat 28-Oct-17 22:11:21

So use money or gifts to make someone come and see you? I have to quit this thread now. I can't believe how many people think that's a good idea.
And then talk sadly about relatives who only come to see them for what they can get.

Smileless, you are such a nice person, please send to friends child number 3. She might be different smile

icanhandthemback Sun 29-Oct-17 00:45:29

Eglantine, I thought the same about Smileless's post. It seems a bit sad that the third child should suffer for the sins of omission by her siblings!
I agree that the OP's GD should say thank you and I might reduce my generosity next time. It is the fact she doesn't ring the OP or visit that needs to be minimised because of her age. As somebody else said, 19 year olds can be self absorbed and that is due to the stage of maturity with their brain. They may be "adults" according to societal requirements but they aren't usually in emotional/neurological terms. I wonder how many of us look back at our younger selves at that age and wonder why we were like we were at that age. I know I cringe sometimes when I am reminded!

Bluegal Sun 29-Oct-17 07:28:03

Eglantine- you aren’t alone! I was trying to see from all angles. Seems to be two issues here - manners and needs.

I will keep it generic but if a younger person feels pressure to do anything they seem to go the opposite! I know I did! If I called and someone said anything (what I perceived as sarcastic) “I thought you had left the country” or suchlike I would be even more likely not to call!

Not saying this is the case but food for thought perhaps?

Also the comment referring to OP nagging? Who was that? Not on here was it? When GD text and said she was ok, nothing OP had done, did she say thank you for gift? Ok she failed to call later but that could be for many reasons

Personally I think OP just needs to back off and let GD come round in her own time.

I don’t agree with the posts that suggest bribery either FWIW. Why would it make you feel better knowing someone has only come to see you for gifts?

Being a loving P and GP is as much about letting go as Nurturing. As long as they know you are there, they will return but cause a rift and they may not. Jmo

NemosMum Sun 29-Oct-17 10:51:10

Marylane, you have realised that part of this is about your own emotional needs, and that is a very big step for you. It is too much to expect your granddaughter to fill the gaps in your own emotional life, and perhaps she has picked up on this. Also, giving £100 is a bit much (unless you are a wealthy family). I would have thought that £20/£25 was much more appropriate. Don't expect effusive (or any) thanks. 19 year olds often imagine their elders are 'rolling in it', and don't automatically tar her with the same brush as her mother. She's just young and inexperienced. As others have pointed out, although a 19 year old is legally adult, there is a lot of growing up to be done. Thanks will be nice when they are proffered freely and genuinely, and that might be several years from now.

marylane1996 Sun 29-Oct-17 14:42:20

How sad you think this is normal behaviour for anyone to be excused from saying thank you. SVALENTINE60 should keep her very judgemental comments and consider before posting especially as all other messages have been friendly and supportive. I don't see my daughter as she has a mental illness and together with that the OCD she says makes her feel sick when she sees me. I would give anything to see her, have sent letters, flowers but she gets hysterical. There is nothing I can do from my doctors advice but get on with my life which I do by visiting the elderly who see no one but myself. I don't expect to be loved for giving a generous present but get great joy in seeing my granddaughter happy and looking forward to buying something she has her eye on.

Eloethan Sun 29-Oct-17 17:49:58

It is reasonable to expect a thank you for a gift or a response to a message BUT perhaps this young lady has other things going on in her life that are distracting her. You say her mother has mental health issues and this may have some relevance.

Since you say she has always been communicative and appreciative in the past, I think I would cut her some slack. Her brother is younger and may not be troubled by some of the issues that affect teenagers.

tidyskatemum Sun 29-Oct-17 18:13:34

I do get fed up with people making excuses for their DC and DGCs poor behaviour on the grounds that a) they have such busy lives - yeah, being glued to their phones and b) if you don't put up with it they won't talk to you ever again. As others have said, it takes no time to send a text but so many young people have no respect for anyone other than themselves and their parents/grandparents end up being total doormats. Send you GD a card and no prezzie next time and find a charity that would really appreciate your money.

Eloethan Sun 29-Oct-17 18:25:56

I would generally agree with you tidyskatemum, but since the poster has said this behaviour seems uncharacteristic of her granddaughter, I'm wondering if something isn't quite right in her life at the moment.