When I was kid, I was absolutely terrified of my mom's dad. His wife died three years before I was born and he had trouble coping for a very long time. He was just very gruff. I was even terrified of his cat. She was a swatter and hisser. But he did remarry, and as I grew up, I really grew to love them both, very much. Some of my favorite memories are of visiting them. I do have to admit, his wife had her own children and her own grandchildren, and it was definitely clear she preferred her own, but I don't hold that against her (at least, not anymore).

My dad's mother, well... She understood me. We were very close. Pen pals for years. When all my cousins were attacking me because I was missing class (because I was anxious and depressed, and they didn't know), she just simply said, "They don't know what's going on, so don't let what they say bother you." That has always stuck with me.

So, when I was a kid, I clearly preferred my dad's mom over my mom's dad. But as I grew up, I loved them equally and enjoyed spending time with both of them. My relationship with each of them was very different, but they both greatly enriched my life. I think it'll just take some time and maturity on the kids part. They're still trying to figure out those crazy, illogical things called emotions.