How to gently ask MIL not to always include cousins?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the OP. No, it's: Let's spend the morning at one teen's soccer game. Then let's check out the other teen's swim meet. Then let's go to the coffee shop where she works.

That’s different than just having all of them together. I thought she had them all over at her house to bake cookies!

Maybe ask her if there is a weekend where she isn’t busy with other commitments like swim meets and games so that you can go out with her and the kids. Or suggest going with her to a museum. Maybe if you help lead the itineraries your kids will get one on one time with grandmother.

Unlike a lot of these other people I don’t necessarily think it’s a jealousy issue per se. I don’t think it’s wrong to desire one on one time.

I agree. My kids are bored at their siblings’ games. Maybe there’s a bit of novelty yo cheering on older cousin for the first time, but every visit would get old for most people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]The teenagers take up more time and attention than the elementary kids? Huh.[/b]

My kids have only older cousins on one side (10 years older). And it actually worked out great. They adore the older one, follow her around, and want to be sitting glued to her all the time. It works out great for me.

That was my question too... very confusing.

The teenagers see their grandmother all the time, why would she naturally give THEM more attention? 🤔

Plus, I imagine the teens have cell phones that require their constant attention, no?