What lessons I learn from interacting with my in-laws. I'm proud of the relationships I've forged with my kids in-laws, and how much they've enriched my life. We share the love of the grandkids, and the intensity of our good wishes for our kids. We are very different people, and yet, without speaking of it, we make a huge right effort to ease and smooth over differences for the sake of the kids. And gradually, over time, we've forged an alliance of good will. We're behaving like grownups.
And when I observe myself envious or comparing attention given to me versus another, I get to work on my possessiveness and insecurity. It arises right to the forefront. It's a battle to be a grownup. I struggle with ungenerous thoughts, and get to feel triumphant when I keep those thoughts to myself. I notice they pass away swiftly now.
There ought to be a book about handling jealousy, envy and insecurity around sharing kids and grandkids. But silently, I guess I'm writing one for myself.
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