Dear Abby: I’m hurt that our family isn’t the grandparents’ priority
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have a beautiful daughter, soon to be 2 years old. Before her birth, my parents and my husband’s parents were eagerly awaiting her arrival and discussing their plans for what life as new grandparents would be. We just “knew” they would be involved so much it would drive us crazy. Instead, it’s the opposite! My parents work 40-plus hours a week and care for my 5-year-old half-brother, who was recently diagnosed with autism. Naturally, I have to cut them some slack. My husband’s parents, on the other hand, aren’t workaholics. They spend their time doing things like spending a couple of weeks on the lake, taking scuba lessons and participating in a quilting club. They tell us about their fun, then ask how our daughter is. (They haven’t seen her in weeks.) I know the role of a grandparent has changed. They are getting a taste of freedom from raising children. However, they are not free child care to me. They are my family, and I wanted to see all those plans they had for her before she was