I'm sure I'm going to get shot down in flames or ostracised for this but I've never really loved my granddaughter who is now nearly 3! She is my first and only grandchild and my son and DIL and GD live in Cheshire. When GD was born I was very excited and when I saw her I thought how lovely she was but I didn't get that rush of unconditional love that I felt for my 3 sons when they were born. I didn't know what to feel. I tried to discuss this with work colleagues but they just didn't understand. Don't get me wrong - I care for her but it's not the same. However as she's got older she's now turning into a 'right little madam' brought on by too much negotiating and plea bargaining and bribery on DIL's behalf. My son tries to intervene but is shot down in flames by feisty DIL (who is a social worker btw) and his opinion doesn't count and he's "doing it all wrong" according to DIL. As a consequence son now opts out and leaves the (not so good) behaviour management up to DIL. I don't say anything but do try and model good management - I've been a health visitor for 20 years - I've had 3 children, done the Incredible Years course and run the IY course and work very closely with my friend who is a behaviour management consultant so I do have some good suggestions (I hate the word advice!) to offer my son and DIL. But I just don't know how to handle this one. I'm finding because of GD's brattish behaviour (and she has to be seen in action to be believed!) I'm disliking her more and more. I see my son and his family every 2 or 3 weeks or so - the last time was Easter weekend and to be honest I was glad when they went home. I've thought of having a word with my son in a sympathetic and supportive way. What are other's opinions? Perhaps I just need reassurance that other GP's don't feel the love that 'they should' for their grandchildren. My ex and his wife also dislike GD's behaviour and we have discussed it together but I feel they just think it's cute and then I feel they are much better grandparents than me. There is NO animosity by the way between us welsh grandparents - we are good friends and are able to discuss things but they are afraid of saying anything. Sorry -rather a long post!
Is there such a thing as delicious ready meals?