Dear Annie: I am a mother of a wonderful adult daughter and we have always had a narrow bond. We live in the same neighborhood and our grandchildren can go to our house at any time. We spend a lot of time together with the family, and I love being a regular part of your life.
My daughter’s mother -in -law used to live out of the state and only visited a good handful of times a year. When we were all at the same meetings, my husband and I intentionally leave after a reasonable time so I could enjoy being a grandmother. Now that it has been relocated to the State, it is more often around and we are happy to include it on family holidays and events. We still make a point to step back and leave it for a long time with grandchildren. For us, it is important for children to feel connected all His family, not just one side.
Here is my question: Is it unusual to be intentional to share time as grandparents? Sometimes I wonder if other families feel competitive or uncomfortable in these situations. For us, it worked well to be generous with time and space, but I would like to hear your prey.
—Solites trying to share joy
Dear Share The Joy: What a breath of fresh air you are. Your approach is reflective, generous and rooted in love, not only for your grandchildren, but for the whole family. Often, I listen to readers who feel pushed or trapped in calm (or not so curious) struggles during the time of grandparents. You have chosen a path of cooperation instead of competition and it seems that everyone is better for it.
No, it is not uncommon to be intentional to share time, but unfortunately, it is not always common either. Your willingness to step back so that another grandmother can build her own bond shows maturity, confidence and a deep understanding of what matters most: the well -being and joy of your grandchildren.
You are modeling something really beautiful here, not only for your daughter and her in -laws, but for the children themselves. They are learning as it seems when the family works along with kindness and respect.
Keep doing what you are doing. The world and your family are lucky enough to have -you.
Dear Annie: I am an 18 -year -old girl and I will start at college this fall: a great and exciting change! But I have a dilemma of friendship that weighed me.
By 2022, I met a Japanese girl through a language exchange application. He was looking for someone to market small gifts and, although it may seem strange, we hit him immediately and started to exchange packages and letters. For the last two years, we have gone near, although we have never found ourselves in person.
Recently, he spent a month studying abroad in Malta and made new friends there. Although I’m really happy for her, I can’t help but feel eager. I am afraid that he will move away from our friendship and approach the people he met in Malta. I know it is not fair, but I feel a little jealous, in particular because I am an only child and I do not have many narrow friendships, so I usually cling to those I have. I realize that this can be found as territorial, even if I try to hide it.
I want to be honest with her about how I feel but I am afraid that she goes away. I do not want to find -as disorders or possessives, especially since we come from different cultures and communicate mainly online.
How can I deal with these feelings without damaging a friendship that I really value?
—Polt a child holding up
Dear Holding on: It is natural to feel a little insecure when someone cares new forms, especially when you do not have many intimate friends. But friendship is not a competition and trying to “clinging” too well can do more harm than good. Instead of confessing jealous feelings, focus on -you continue to be a friendly and attentive friend. Trust your bond will remain if you want to be. Good relationships bloom when there is enough space to breathe.
“How can I forgive my partner partner?” It is outside now! Annie Lane’s second anthology, with preferred columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation, is available as paperback and electronic book. Call http://www.creatorspublishing.com For more information. Send your questions to Annie Lane to Dearannie@creators.com.
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