To think that the inlaws should care more about their grandchildren

[Strawberry90]

The inlaws live abroad but still we have three young DC and:

• they rarely call - most communication is through DH's younger sister who still lives at home
  
• they never Skype - they've done it once after much much hassling from us
  
• they never ever visit and expect us instead to visit them. FIL has never met youngest DC despite him being incredibly sick when he was born. MIL and SIL came over once whilst he was in hospital only.
  

Indeed FIL has never visited England despite DH living here for 8+ years there's no reason why he shouldn't come (can afford it has no health issues etc)

• they never send cards/letters etc and presents are rare and from SIL only. We didn't get a card or present from them for youngest DC being born (and as noted above they didn't visit only quickly once when he was in hospital) but they did transfer some money to our account (id have preferred a visit and a babygrow personally)!
  

They are basically not involved at all and don't know their own grandchildren. They seem not to really care although will often ask us when will we next visit them.
I've had enough of getting upset about it. I used to email photos to SIL but don't bother now. It's their loss but Aibu to expect more from them?!

[MoonStar07]

YANBU but...each to their own. Some people just don't make the effort. Either you choose to kill them with your kindness and 'make' them fall in love with your DC by taking them to see them OR you accept they won't have that relationship. Are they very far? That could make it hard for them to come so often. The fact MiL and SIL came to see you in hospital doesn't mean they are heartless. I learned long ago not to compare my inlaws to how my GPs treated me and my brother. Try not let it bother you so much. Maybe think about what you want from them? Can you recreate this elsewhere? You love your DCs immensely so this matters to you the most as it should

[Leeds2]

I think I would stop communication, and let your OH get on with it.

[Mybeardeddragonjustdied2016]

My in laws lived ten mins away and didn't bother to have a relationship with our ds either. Have a last big bloody rant then just forget they exist.
You will feel so much better.

[BackforGood]

I guess they see it as all part of your dh's decision to move abroad.
It's a shame they aren't more involved, but lots of Grandparents aren't without the barriers of travel.
Seems a shame to break the relationship you have with SiL, just because PiL aren't great at keeping in touch.

[Strawberry90]

Yes just need to get over it I think. Clear they aren't going to change. So sad for my DC.

[myownprivateidaho]

Well, yanbu to want more, but I think that you and your DH have a responsibility to continue to facilitate your DCs relationship with them on their terms. Once the kids get older you can just make them call each week or whatever.

[SheldonCRules]

If your DH was the one that moved then the visits should fall to him. Unfair to expect them to travel when he moved.

Some people just aren't that bothered with kids, they want to enjoy their later life.

[myownprivateidaho]

Also, if they're asking you to visit they clearly do care a bit.

[Strawberry90]

Back - I wouldn't mind the not visiting so much if they made an effort to Skype or write etc. I think they use the distance as an excuse really. It's only about a 4 hour journey so they could come once a year at least and Skype every week?

[Strawberry90]

Myown -yes want to do what is right for DC but don't want them feeling rejected or hurt as they get older (will they be thinking my other nanny visits me and sends me postcards when she's on holiday and sends presents and cards why doesn't this nanny?!)

[Strawberry90]

Sorry back I misread your post - yes it's sad many grandparents just aren't involved

[SandyY2K]

I don't understand it, but I can only assume your OH isn't from a close family, otherwise they'd want to be close to their grandchildren.

[myownprivateidaho]

Honestly, I had one set of grandparents I saw once a week and once set I saw once or twice a year growing up. The ones I saw less were much less present-focused (didn't give birthday gifts, but did send a Xmas gift). It wasn't confusing or upsetting at all, and actually the more distant grandparents were the one I developed a much stronger relationship with in my teens and adulthood. Kids just accept the status quo as normal, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[JeepersMcoy]

If you don't makes big deal of it to your dc than it won't seem like a big deal to them. It will just be normal and they won't think twice about it. I assume you come from a really close family as I have lots of bits of family I have barely ever seen including aunts and uncles. It's not that unusual and really won't scar them for life.

[Strawberry90]

Thanks - yes you are right children just accept the status quo
Yes I come from a really close family. I would find it really odd and be devastated if my dad just didn't want to meet my children

[fc301]

In my experience of hugely selfish parents their lack of interest in you is a blessing. Better that than no boundaries/criticising etc
Accept and move on, your DC are not 'missing out' on anything xx

[sleepy16]

As hard as it is (and I know it hurts) you need to draw a line under it.
You can not make your in laws have a relationship with their grandchildren.
My parents don't even know my childrens names, and my mil passed away before she got to meet any of her grandchildren (I know she would of adored them).
My children don't have a lot of family that bother with them, but the ones that do love them enough for those that don't.

[nosyupnorth]

I think you need to consider what level of closeness is normal for your DH's family. When I read your line about expecting them to Skype every week my gut feeling is that seems excessive because my family's style isn't to keep in that close contact - I care about them dearly but I see them once or twice a year and speak intermittently, usually when there's news or a specific occasion. If their normal isn't as close as yours is you'll need to consider some sort of middle ground.

I don't think any party is necessarily right or wrong here, you just have different expectations.

[Strawberry90]

You've got a point nosyrup - not much changes with them so maybe they think it doesn't with us. Whereas I think kids grow and change so fast every week not even that much.

Am just going to continue no longer sending photos and stop nagging my OH to ring them/set up a Skype and just let be. I feel really upset for my OH and DC but I can't change them. It's def their loss.

[junebirthdaygirl]

My db lives abroad. My Df never visited him as hated flying. My db visited home every second year with his family. When they left my Df cried and was downcast for days but still wouldn't visit. If Skype was around in those days he definitely wouldn't have used it as shy and quiet BUT he loved that family dearly. His gk abroad loved visiting him and we're distraught when he died. Maybe just accept things are the way they are.

[KC225]

It's a sad they don't seem more engaged with your DC and it wound upset me but It seems a shame to cut your SIL off as she seems genuinely interested in the children

[Sunshine51]

Both my parents have died but when they were around they adored ds. My in-laws are hopeless my sil lives with them with her kids and they are their world my ds is lucky to get a Skype call 3 times a year (when we call them). It used to really bother me as I come from a huge family who were close. I have come to the conclusion Ds will never know the difference so he won't miss what he never had, their loss.

[mum11970]

I wouldn't just write your in-laws as uncaring. Some people are just more introverted than others, doesn't mean they love any less. My dh can visit relatives or even chat to strangers for hours. I, on the other hand, am socially awkward and find it excruciatingly hard at times and can sometimes come over as stand offish.

[HearTheThunderRoar]

My mum has never been that interested in DD, she lives 2 hours away and other than the odd phone call which I initiate or quarterly visit is the only contact. I suspect that is because DD is the youngest grandchild of 7 by about 8 years and mum was over grandchildren by then. I had to beg for the odd bit of childcare when she was a baby and we lived in the same area...

DD is 17 now and she's got used to / accepted that her grandmother will never be a big apart of her life. My father adored her (along with all his grandchildren) but he died several years ago, at least she has that to treasure. So DD has never grown up surrounded by grandparents, it would have been nice but it's not the end of the world.

[franincisco]

It seems they are from a different culture OP? It may be that the role of GP's is something different for them?

You said that they wired you money for the birth of your DC, that is exactly what my IL's (foreign) would do. Cards for occasions do not exist from where they are and they are of the "no boxed gifts" type. Money is seen as the practical/sensible option. They don't do birthdays or christmas so no "presents" that way either. We always visit them and they are very loving and kind, however the children have very little relationship with them other than that. I put it down to a culture difference.

I think though it is unfair to say that they don't care, especially as your MIL and SIL visited when your ds was ill. For some international travel is a really big deal. My MIL never wanted to visit us; it wasn't personal, she just didn't want to leave her country.