Too Bad

Do you have any idea how much I would love to say "Too bad, you had your chance?" They are pushing the two year old, Sarah, away. She cannot go into their room unless she is very quiet. That's the quiet room. Now it's extending to other areas of the house. She cannot be two. She has to use her quiet voice all the time, even outside. Whenever they see a photo of David they get all excited, but not so with Sarah. She got so excited when her grandmother came home from work, even falling off the bed to go and see her. She was greeted with "you need to use your quiet voice". A little while later Sarah was going to be taken outside to ride her bike. It took longer to dress her than the time she spent on her bike. She was brought back in and I was told that she wouldn't play with her while she was in this mood. They then swapped her for the 10 year old. I would love to tell them as we are leaving to move across country, "too bad, you had your chance to get to know her." She is such a loving and sweet child and they are missing out. I don't think across country is far enough...

Line in the Sand

Where do you draw the line? My two kids and I are staying with my parents for a good part of the summer (or shorter I hope). My parents have now taken to overstepping their grandparent role and are assuming the parental role with my kids. They have decided to study for meetings with my son. Last week we hadn't prepared for a Tuesday night meeting. After we came back my son was asked about it. He looked confused when she asked if he had been prepared. She said she would take over the studying with him. I interjected and said I didn't have the material, remember we are just visiting. She basically ignored me and said we'll address it next week. Today she came in from playing outside with my daughter. She didn't like the way my two year old interacted with her and said she would no longer play with her. I think it took me longer to get her dressed than the whole time she played. Instead, while I am putting my daughter down for a nap they snag the son and decided to prepared for the meeting with him. That is so not your place. But how do you intervene when you are in their house? How and where do you draw the line in the sand? I was not given the material to go over the info for tonight. That's how they are using it to get around me. Driving me crazy... How do I put a stop to this?