aw gee Sept... this is tough... lol having a family is tough.

I haven't seen my grandkids in eons... the only one I made a connection with is a granddaughter... the last visit maybe 3 or 4 years ago...

my son and his wife stopped in only 2 kids then... they wouldn't let Brittany sit with me or her greatgrandmother... she was sat between them. The baby was in high chair. My son had already said something to his son (baby) about being bad... because he kept dropping the stuff given to him (DUH) I countered him, sweetly, Babies aren't bad... babies can't be bad...

then they ordered the highest price steak for the little girl... who didn't want it. She began coloring in the book with crayons I had brought for her ... they had nothing for her to do and they were travelling in the car? oh well... she was so intent that as she turned the book, she knocked some crayons off the table... my son and his wife both went bezerk... YOU better pick them up! I was calm and appalled at the same time and said half sarcastically, NO --- she's gonna leave them on the floor so she has nothing to color with... the next thing she did NOTHING wrong, and my son suddenly turned to her and said, if you don't behave I'm gonna take you out and beat you.

I 'd had enough and I piped up loudly YOU WILL NOT!! It shocked everyone at the table. I continued, THAT"s MY granddaughter and you won't do that to her! She kept coloring but sneaked a look up at me and had the kewlest smile on her face. I only hope that WHEN she runs away from home, she'll know where to come!

I can only guess that my son learned this from his dad, and his wife, well I know her parents were abusive...

So hang in there, make contact when you can, confront them as sweetly as you can and be consistent yourself. Children see this... You have a tough demeanor at times... but theres a lot of love underneath. Don't be afraid to show it.