I usually post in the psychotherapy forum, but this time it doesn't fit there. I am very hurt because my grandchildren prefer the other grandparents. Not just one grandma, but both of them get the kids' love while I get rejected. Both of my children's kids have grandmas who are more bubbly than I am. I've done my best to show them my love and attention, but they continually run to the other grandmas.

I have to radically accept that there's nothing I can do. I can't compete with them, and I can't force my grandchildren to want to be with me. They are kids and they go to whom they want. It hurts me a lot because it triggers rejection I used to feel in my own childhood. Never did I think my grandchildren would act like this. I love them no matter what, but when they "get stuck with me" and are upset that the other grandma isn't there, or when we are together, and I'm left out, I feel really, really bad. This happened just now, so I thought I'd write it down. I've talked about it in therapy, and my therapist keeps telling me that my grandhchildren will love me for the wonderful qualities I have, but it seems like that's not happening.

Has anyone been in this position and how did you deal with it?