to want acknowledgement when I send photos and videos to my parents?

[YunoWhatYouDidLastSummer]

AIBHP (Am I Being Horribly Petty)?

We live thousands of miles from my parents. We speak to them about once every 3 or 4 weeks.

Every so often (every couple of months at the most) I send them a nice photo of my children, or a link to an album, or a video link, sometimes one that the children have done specifically for my parents ("hello Nanna and Pop! We want to sing Happy Birthday... etc etc")

They NEVER EVER EVER reply to say thanks or that they enjoyed it or ANYTHING.

The thing is, I know they absolutely bloody love getting pics and news about the children. Last week I forwarded something about dd from her school and, as usual, no reply, but then I happened to speak to them and they could practically quote it word for word. They pour over anything I send.

Am I being horribly petty to feel irked that I never ever get a little return email to say "thanks, great pics and gorgeous children!"?

Sounds like they wait to talk to you, lots of people prefer real contact to email. They are clearly very proud of your DCs. Relax.
YABABP (You Are Being A Bit Petty)

I'm with you, in that I think thank you letters should always be written - they give so much pleasure for so little effort.

But you cannot change your parents' views on this, or their entrenched habits.

You can however bring up your own children to give prompt thanks - and hope that in appreciating it, the penny might drop for your parents. And if they ever do send a thanks/acknowledgement, I'm sure you can welcome it in a way that'll encourage them to do more.