PARENTS WON’T BABYSIT MY KID

Dear Coleen

My parents always offer to look after my brother’s two children, while I have to practically beg them to babysit for us.

My brother has two daughters, who are both very well behaved, while I have one son who, I admit, can be a bit of handful at times.

However, it upsets me that they don’t treat us equally. I feel embarrassed asking them to help us out now if they don’t actually want to do it, even when I’m desperate.

Coleen says

I don’t think it’s that they feel differently about you or love your son any less than their granddaughters, but perhaps he’s very difficult when they do look after him and they don’t know how to handle it. Perhaps they haven’t been honest with you because they don’t want to hurt your feelings and realise you’re sensitive about it.

I totally get where you’re coming from, though – it’s so hurtful if you think someone is treating your kids differently.

Why not have a conversation with your parents and ask them how they feel about it? Maybe if they admit they find it tricky, then there are things you could do to avoid the problems when they’re babysitting.

Maybe you could put your son to bed before you go out, or give them ideas on keeping him busy, calm and happy.

But don’t let it cause a rift.