Source: Telegraph >> Read full article and comment

InsideOut: our relationships expert, Sarah Abell, advises a reader on how to be a supportive grandparent without over-stepping boundries.

By Sarah Abell
Published: 7:00AM BST 03 Aug 2010

I was delighted when my son, Tom, and his wife, Jo, had their baby Tessa. My husband and I live in the same village, and I would call in twice a week, often taking a bunch of flowers for Jo. But when Tessa was nine months old Jo went back to work and we started visiting on a Thursday evening instead. This was the only time we saw them unless there was a wider family gathering.

Then Jo became pregnant again. It wasn’t easy; she would get tired and moody. Our weekly visits became a bind for them so I suggested that they bring Tessa to us instead, to give them a break and to get her used to being at our house in case after the baby was born they needed some help. This offer was sharply declined. Jo said, “I am and will be perfectly capable of looking after Tessa.” However, a few weeks later they did start bringing Tessa to us but we never went to them….Continue Reading