My Father has been re-married for over 25 years but over the past 5 years, his wife has increasingly become increasingly controlling over the amount of time and frequency with which he 'is permitted' to have contact with myself, my DS (his Grandson), my sister and her DS.
Examples of this include telephone conversations being time limited or cut short to 'help with dinner', time controlled contact when we do meet (to the point of watch watching) and blatant ignoring of conversation - or changing conversation topic altogether. There's also a pattern of 'migraines' changing plans cutting short personal interaction with my father.
My DF and his wife have 2 grown up children of their own who are always fully included in family events and get togethers whereas my sister and I (I refer to as 'the first family') are constantly excluded. At my SS recent wedding, the 'first family' were excluded from photographs for example.
It's become increasingly obvious that 'The First Family' are being kept 'out of sight' to be kept 'out of mind' and the number and frequency of phone calls has now dwindled to birthdays and a phone call at Christmas. This is now having an impact on my 14 year old DS who doesn't understand why his Grandfather doesn't want to spend time with him.
AIBU to expect by father to want to spend time with his GS?
We live some distance apart so our time together has always been difficult to arrange because where we live and work. However even though my sister and I live a long distance apart, we are really close, and speak several times a week. I've got to the point where I'm thinking it's pointless to even try to maintain a relationship - but don't want this to affect my DS relationship with his GF.