Mothers and MILs will pick a favorite to make the kids and grandkids compete more the love and attention and money. I think that is evil. Rise above it. Accept it. Don't let it make you bitter. Remember how this feels so that when you a grandmother you don't play the same evil manipulative games.

I also agree with what one person suggested that perhaps the Sister 2 has a mental illness or she was abused in some way or has something over on your parents.

My cousin moved to LA and pursued an acting career. She then got pregant and has a child. In my grandmother's eyes this cousin and her child could do no wrong, even when they were never actually physically there. Her lifestyle in LA is supported by my grandparents and my aunt and uncle. My cousin is narcissistic. She also claims to have been the victim of childhood abuse, and maybe she is telling the truth. Still, she throws wild temper tantrums in public when she doesn't get her way. So, she gets her way a lot.

You either learn to give in to her early, or suffer the consequences of constant harassment, public humiliation and temper tantrums, or threats to tell people she is being abused.

Anonymous wrote:Why do they consider Sister2 to be "poor" sister 2? Sounds like she has a charmed life.

Visit at a different time. No sense in competing against that.

Is she a widow or a divoree?

Why do they consider Sister2 to be "poor" sister 2? Sounds like she has a charmed life.

Visit at a different time. No sense in competing against that.

The best advice here is just to travel and visit at times that Sister 2 is not around. Nothing will ever change and you will never know the entire story between IL and Sister. If that isn't possible, don't go. Your kid will be better off spending time with people that love him/her, even if they are good family friends instead of blood relatives, than fight for attention he/she is never going to get. Just don't expect much from these people, they suck.

My own mother heavily favors my brother's little boy. It's extremely painful to me, because I feel like I'm experiencing my childhood all over again. And his little boy is a total pain. I'm not sure I have any advice. Luckily, there are a lot of cousins for mine to play with, so I encourage her to do so when we all go to Grandma's house.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, visit at a separate time, OP.

(You do sound more pissed over the money she gets than the attention they give to your kid.)

Yes, thats true. Because while she gets to SAH, DH and I are both doing the typical DC work-crazy-hours to get by. She just lives a very different lifestyle thanks to his parents. Its hard not to be jealous. We would love to be gifted a beachfront home.

Is it legally hers or still in their name and she uses it because she doesn't work and has flexibility to vacation?
I know my in-laws favor the local children to some extent.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, visit at a separate time, OP.

(You do sound more pissed over the money she gets than the attention they give to your kid.)

Yes, thats true. Because while she gets to SAH, DH and I are both doing the typical DC work-crazy-hours to get by. She just lives a very different lifestyle thanks to his parents. Its hard not to be jealous. We would love to be gifted a beachfront home.