I was frustrated when I was younger that my parents never had any fun...I mean there was NEVER anything fun in our lives, as children, teenagers, young adults, while around my parents. Life was a drudge, and no one was ever happy. Anything done for "entertainment" was a chore. One time when my sister and I were grade school age, my parents took us to an amusement park in a city nearby. It seemed like "WORK"...
I also realize now, looking back on my 20 year unhappy marriage, that it was ME, not my husband, who did things with our daughter, and if I participated, I did so reluctantly, as an unwilling participant.
As a single older woman, divorced, I did go visit my daughter, and play with my grandsons. This past summer, they told me they had asked my daughter, "Did Gram play with you when you were young?" They said her answer was "NO."
I did put all my efforts, at least what I could muster, into being a good mother, but she saw how unhappy I was. I blamed the unhappiness on a loveless marriage (which it was from the beginning), but that too was my fault for manipulating this naive man into marrying me. I knew it was lacking, even before the wedding, but I told myself it would improve...well, of course, it didn't.
I realize I'm writing a novel here. To cut it short, I am amazed that my daughter is living a happily married life, pursuing her dreams of living abroad, has two lovely happy twin boys, and that I still maintain a nice communication with them. They even want me to join them for visits in Europe. The twins even tell them I'm their "favorite" grandparent.
Here's the rub: I don't think I can muster traveling overseas, and all the challenges it will present.
At least I'm happy they want me!
Patty