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Xantippe
Guest
How about just asking the grandparents to call you immediately when the boys arrive, rather than asking them to turn the boys away? That’s way more doable.
Frankly, I think this entire family has other problems going on. If the grandparents are that lax, or incapable of properly supervising the kids they don’t belong there. If one of the grandparents or both are letting them look at porn (and sorry I do suspect this more than not), they need to be reported and not allowed to see the kids at all. This stuff is disgusting and very often associated with other deviant behaviors.You make it sound like grandpa knew that they were looking at porn, and did not stop it. My suspicion is that the grandparents aren’t watching the kids on the computer at all, and so they knew they could “get away with it” because there is no supervision. I don’t mean to downplay gross negligence, but I do assert there is a big difference between gross negligence and indecent exposure. And I do believe I gave the caveat that if the grandparents ARE directly involved in the porn access (and not ‘merely’ negligent) then that is a very different situation. In fact, I did.
Leonie should make it clear (via her husband) that there must be major changes or the grandparents will not be permitted access to their grandchildren. Perhaps it is even too late to trust that such changes will be made in good faith, and she must simply bar access immediately. Her parents-in-law must know that there will be (or already are) real consequences for such negligence and dis-respect to her family. Perhaps she should even go so far, as Cricket suggested, as moving away, even quite some distance away. But I firmly maintain that, unless it is shown the parents-in-law were actively exposing her children to such material, rather than being willing idiots, the state should not get involved. Once you call them in, you are in for the ride, and it may not go the way you planned.
How about just asking the grandparents to call you immediately when the boys arrive, rather than asking them to turn the boys away? That’s way more doable.
Did you tell your in-laws that the boys r looking at porn on their computer? If not you should.
Also, if it comes down to an argument or “laying down the law” with your in-laws, that should really be done by your spouse.
Good luck and God bless
I can only say that porn was never found in my grandparents or parents home in any form. And my grandparents supervised us enough to know what the heck we were doing at all times. Something is off in this family, and it is not a small “off.”You don’t cut your kids off from their grandparents because of a few sodas. As to the porn everyone talking about calling the cops need to relax. No one said the grandparent was showing the child porn. Do the in-laws know the kids accessed porn on their computer? I imagine they are probably mortified. A new password and a little talk about computer security should do the trick.
I think you are presuming an awful awful lot in saying there is something “off” with this family. You are in no more position to judge that than you are the outfit I’m wearing right now and quite frankly it’s none of your business.I can only say that porn was never found in my grandparents or parents home in any form. And my grandparents supervised us enough to know what the heck we were doing at all times. Something is off in this family, and it is not a small “off.”
And if diet and health are issues of concern, and grandparents or other relatives will not comply, then yes you do cut them off from visiting without supervision. This whole thing sounds like mom and dad have leaned on the grandparents to suit their whims, and now it has come home to rest as they can’t control the kids.
I second this. Her other book, Toxic Parents, helped me understand so much about my parents and our unhealthy relationships. I’m sure this one is just as helpful, and I might just buy it, too.
I think this is very good advice.First of all, mom and dad need to unite and present a united front to their 2 boys. And the boys need to learn about obedience period! But I have a suggestion regarding the grandparents. Why not have them come to the home of the boys to visit them?? That way, no worries! It appears that the grandparents are in need of supervision as much as the 2 boys. There is no way I would permit my children in the home of ANYONE, including grandparents, if they were given access to porn in that home. No way! I would welcome the grandparents into my home, with supervision of course, but that would be the only way they would be seeing my children. It also seems the grandparents are perhaps contributing to the boys’ disobeying their parents because the grandparents are also not honoring the parents’ requests not to give the boys soda. This teaches the boys that what mom and dad say does not count. I would put a stop to that whole thing by only permitting visits with grandma and grandpa in OUR home. End of story!
God bless, and I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
I’ve even seen “cute” “humorous” home decorations bragging about spoiling grandkids.While it is annoying that your in laws are not respectng your wishes and laying down the law with your boys, it is a common habit of grandparents to overindulge. I think it’s in the grandparent handbook as the number 1 rule, disregard everything parents say!
Your boys however are showing a lack of respect for your authority. I think you mentioned you had done this already but if they can’t be trusted to go to granny’s house and follow mummy’s rules, then they won’t go. You mentioned they would go out to play in back yard and end up in granny’s house…well then they don’t go out to play unsupervised. This might sound harsh, but they need to learn that breaking rules comes with consequence and they need to build up your trust again.
I would have your husband sit his parents down and calmly explain that you are a) worried about their dental health (it’s amazing the problems dental health can cause…heart problems and all sorts so it may be just the grandparents don’t understand this…like another poster said, it’s just soda…but not everyone knows of the horrendous effects it can have especially if your teeth are prone to problems) and b) are disappointed with the boys lack of respect for your authority, that you love them having a relationship with their grandparents (and want them to) but the boys need to understand that your in charge. Explain that until future notice all visits will be supervised or granny comes to yours instead.
Personally I wouldn’t get the police involved at this stage…it’s possible, granny just broke the rule of the password but your boy stumbled on porn all by himself. However feel free to use this as another reason for supervised visits.