I am sorry that you are having urges and thoughts of gambling. It is interesting when we are in an emotional turmoil we want to run and gamble to escape from it. You are in a difficult situation as you don’t want to do anything to hurt your Grandson and you want to maintain a relationship with him and your daughter. It is difficult as you to have been in a parenting position with your Grandson for a number of years. You have certain guidelines that you follow when parenting and your daughter has a different way of parenting. I wonder if your daughter lets him do what he wants as she is carrying a lot of guilt for not being there for her son as a parent for a number of years. It’s actually easier to just let a child do what they want than discipline them. She may also feel that you are trying to control her if you are telling her how to raise her son. It is a very delicate tight rope that you are walking right now. How is he discipline by his father and other Grandparents? I wonder if you could suggest that you all discuss guidelines on what is acceptable behaviour and how to deal with it. It is better for your Grandson that everyone is consistent with him as he is the one who is getting mixed messages on what is acceptable behaviour. I don’t envy the position that you are in, but it is important to you Grandson that he has the same expectations from everyone in regards to acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. It may be give and take from your daughter and you to come to an agreement. I don’t mean to offend you, and it is so much easier giving advice LOL It is interesting as when we visit our Grandchildren we notice that our son and daughter-in-law tend to let the kids away with things. I am the mother-in-law and I know if I said anything it would be held against me so I just keep my mouth shut!!! I know when we do things with them away from their parents they are better behaved, but then again I think that kids tend to push their parents to the limit. I also know that my son and dil are not consistent with their disciplining which is not a good thing, but I can’t control how they discipline. I know in your situation it is different as you were in the parent position with your Grandson. I know that you will figure out how to work this out Liz. The joys of being a parent never end do they!!!!
