Grandsons too old for grandparents now

Why does the 16 year old have a car?

If the 13 year old will talk politics he isn’t shutting you off. I do realise politics is not an easy area if you differ a lot, but it does mean he is still communicating. Can you at least quietly grit your teeth and hear him out?

The 16 year old will see himself as a young adult now... think back, I know I did and expect you did too - so he is probably more interested in relationships with his peers and the car and so on than family. I think that’s natural. I think if you keep the door open he’ll come back, in time.

Chewbacca and Furret are quite right, don’t take it personally. I was particularly close to my grandfather and remember he was quite upset the first time I skipped a family gathering to go out with friends. Now our grandchildren are in teens and early twenties they are exactly the same. They won’t forget your relationship when they were very young, even though it seems that way now. Just try to widen your own interests to bridge the gap in your life that you are feeling, but at the same time be interested and tolerant of their interests and views as well. Just remember that those cuddles will eventually turn to big bear hugs!

I am afraid it is normal for them.

Attention does not equal how much they love you.

That's what you want for your grandsons surely jworks they need to be independent and explore a world away from family now. Your life should not be all about them, get out and enjoy yourselves, have some fun. Your grandsons will come back to you eventually.

I agree that he (they) might well ‘fly back’ in the future. I’m pretty sure my own children ‘didn’t want to know’ us at that age. It was all about friends.

Don’t be broken-hearted. Get on with your lives and enjoy the time you have left. Then you’ll be be far happier and clued up for them in the future,

It's just a part of growing up I'm afraid. You helped them to grow wings and now they're flying. But if you're lucky, they'll fly back every now and again. It's the circle of life.