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Conference moira::parenting_v3

Title:Parenting
Notice:READ 1.27 BEFORE WRITING
Moderator:CSC32::DUBOIS
Created:Wed May 30 1990
Last Modified:Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1364
Total number of notes:23848

250.0. "pushy grandparents" by RDGENG::HOPE () Mon Aug 13 1990 13:45

    Yes I have the age old problem.... 
    				how do you stop grandparents from
    being too pushy with their views.  And how do you put it politly as my
    mother is also our childminder whilst my husband and I are at work.
    Any ideas. 
    
    		       Tracey
    						   	
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250.1CLOSUS::HOEDaddy, what is war?Mon Aug 13 1990 14:0419
< Note 250.0 by RDGENG::HOPE >

>>>>...how do you put it politly as my mother is also our
childminder whilst my husband and I are at work.
       
   Tracey

You may not like what I have to say: here it goes. Get another
sitter. That starts with the amount of influence over the child.
Then, work the agreement with your spouse so that you will not
get the grandparent working one spouse against the other. I have
seen two families who let the parents run the grandchildren's
lives (mine included).

Lastly, tell your mother, other relatives that you respect their
views but only one works for your way of bringing up your kid;
your way.

calvin
250.2Talk it out - ask for advice not actionsMAJORS::MANDALINCIMon Aug 13 1990 14:2728
    Tracey, 
    
    I think you are little luckier with it being your mom and not your
    mother-in-law. Assuming you have a good relationship with your mom, I
    would capitalize on what Calvin said - you see only one way of raising
    your child and that is your way. Tell her you don't mind her advice and
    all her help, but you think you know how to raise your child and want
    it done your way ("your" being both you and your hubby). If you request
    that something be done a certain way or that certain rules are followed,
    then you don't expect her to undermine you and do it her way (undermine
    is a strong word - beware). Tell her you trust her child-rearing
    expertise but you are trying to do this yourself with her help as
    needed but not with her taking over your role and giving conflicting
    messages to the children.                                   
    
    Don't get emotional - that's probably the hardest part. Maybe you could
    even present it in a different light and and ask her if she is happy
    watching your child because she is doing things that you requested not
    be done so something must be bothering her?  (If that is the case). 
    Ask her for advice and recommendations rather then assume she can put 
    something into practice immediately. It might feel very strange to her
    to ASK if she can try a new food on her grandchild, especially since
    you loved it as a kid (forgetting your were 6 and your child is 1 - for
    example).
    
    As a last resort, get it new childminder if at all possible. 
    
    Andrea