Re: Merci, merci monsieur, grand merci!

It's a cliche that grandparents spoil their grandchildren, but it's not far from the truth, and I think it's because grandparents must win their grandchildren's favor (as opposed to parents, whom children are pretty much stuck with no matter what.) Oddly, society doesn't seem to overreact to grandparents overindulging grandchildren, even though its obvious that they do this to "manipulate" their grandkids into giving them affection.

I can't believe you are this cynical. I had little to do with any of my grandparents but from what I have seen most grandparents love their grandchildren for who they are. They tend to spoil them with their affection and little presents because they love them. They also are not in the position, mostly, of their parents who have to discipline them sometimes and hence will not always apear as 'loving'. Children will no doubt suck up to their grandparents, they wouldn't be children otherwise would they? I think children give their affection quite willingly, a few presents etc. doesn't do any harm however, they take advantage.

Moth