As a child I loved my Grandmother and in fact she was responsible for introducing me to many of the things that I still like to do today. However, when I reached my teenage years I became irritated with all the fussing over me that I had previously enjoyed.
When I moved to London, age 19, I used to visit my GPs after work. I would watch the evening news with my GF but Nana would keep coming in and asking me whether I wanted a drink. I got fed up with this.
One friend with numerous grandchildren used to tell me how as soon as they got to their teens they didn't want to visit her, they'd rather be out with their friends. They would visit if she cooked a Sunday lunch but she could not afford to do that regularly. She was philosophical about it.
Think back to your own relationships with GPs and parents. At some time during my early teens I realised that my parents were fallible and as I grew older we often had arguments over what I could and couldn't do. By the time I got to my mid twenties we got on very well but sadly I lost them both in their early fifties - my dad through cancer and my mum through early onset Alzheimers. Although she lived for some years it was never the same.
We all know that as children develop they go through many changes, some of which can be disruptive or upsetting. I think it's important that, as a GP, one steps back, doesn't interfere or be too opinionated with them but is quietly supportive. Most of us gain a degree of wisdom as we get older and your relationship with them will change yet again.
