I Don’t Like One Of My Grandsons
I’m writing to you because I can’t tell anyone in my family, or any of my friends, my terrible secret. I just don’t like one of my teenaged grandsons. I’m so embarrassed to even admit it, but it’s true. I always feel as though I have to make a real effort when he’s around, just so that he won’t pick up on how I feel. Is there something wrong with me?
Iam sure there is nothing wrong with you – what you are feeling is normal. We cannot like everyone, and I’m willing to bet there have been others at school, work and social events who you have not clicked with. One of life’s lessons is to accept that we don’t like everyone and that everyone doesn’t have to like us!
The first step is to accept how you feel. It’s sensible to try to explain it if you can, but often it is just a feeling, a lack of synchronicity, that has no explanation.
However, have you considered it may be temporary? Perhaps your grandson is going through hormonal changes where he is uncomfortable with himself, which may project onto others. If so it will pass, as he matures and finds out who he is.
You are doing absolutely the right thing in trying to disguise it, but do not think you are bad or wrong. He is probably a really nice young man but something means you do not feel good about him.
Ask relatives or friends how they feel about their grandchildren. You may pick up similar feelings – or not.
We all try to treat everyone the same but that is not realistic – we all like some people more than others. That is normal but do keep trying. You may be relieved to know this will become less of an issue as time goes by. And there is nothing to be gained by making more of it than there is.
Perhaps he is going through changes that mean he is uncomfortable with himself