My parents used to be the worst. But now, in their golden years, they're both model parents and grandparents. I don't know what caused the shift, but I do think they were influenced somehow. They have 9 grandkids and live an hour away. If my wife and I are ever in a pinch, they'll come get our kids and keep them until further notice, no questions asked. One time last year, they had our kids for three weeks straight. Granted, my wife was going through Covid hell and I couldn't take care of them. But still. They stepped it up big-time.

Have you expressed to your parents and in-laws that you want to see more of them, as do the kids? Sometimes, grandparents wanna do their own thing, be left alone. Not have to deal with an army of unruly, feral children, which often take the form of their grandchildren. Grandparents are a cliquey bunch, too. Most of them want to move to The Villages in Florida and never see their adult children and grandchildren again. Some, in fact, do this.

Where was I? Oh, right. Do you know the slogan inside the NYC subway stations: "If you see something, say something"? Well, say something. You're seeing some crappy behavior on the part of the grandparents and it has Got. To. Stop. What's next, they're gonna move overseas without telling you? It'll just never end, unless you do something about it now!