So let me have a word with you young parents who have parents involved in your children’s lives. I know, they drive you crazy with their advice to put a nip of whiskey in your baby’s bottle to stop colic, with buying your kids clothes with puffy sleeves or for refusing to feed your baby organic foods because after all, “you turned out just fine.”

Be patient with us please. Many of us grandparents are doing the best that we can. We are trying to love your children the best way we know how, but we need a little help.

And hey, consider yourself lucky that we want to be involved. Many of us had parents who wanted nothing to do with watching grandchildren, going to our kids’ sports events or feeding them foods that are off limits. Most of us are doing the best that we can and I’ll admit, often doing it backwards.

Please take time this weekend, and often, to offer a thank you to a grandparent. Show a little appreciation for our efforts because, well, we’re more tired than you are.

And to you grandparents (and yes, I’m writing to myself) we need to establish better boundaries…