My kids are thrilled and very excited that we have an animal granma Doesn't have.
I I felt like they were stealing the thunder of a six year old.
Am I really just being petty, or are they?
TO BE HONEST!
If you look at it, your line "excited to get an animal granma doesn't have" looks like everyone in the family, yes, including your side has the same competitive nature.
If you are being competitive, why can't they?
Has Granma got a goat, llama, horse or hamster?
You can continue the way things are, and it sounds like your children will also continue to have the same idea's... or just leave things alone. Your feelings, and you have probably voiced them in the presents of your children are going to be repeated as they grow up..... (Mommy, Johnny has a new gameboy/bike/etc..) its going to be hard to keep ahead of everyone else. From the brief look into things, from only that which you have written.... you started!
OK Ouch! Actually, I think the kids are innocent of competetiveness, they just liked an excuse to have granma come to their house instead of them going to hers! I - on the other hand - am not and will take my lumps.
But, she says defensively, not to defend myself, I think it is more like a little kid. You know how they say "me do!" when you know perfectly well that you can do it faster and better than they can but you sit there and wait and let them do because that's how they really learn? With the chickens it was my own personal ME DO!
We turn to MIL for advice constantly and the kids are convinced she knows everything. (I occasionally resent this, but I never dissuade them!)
I'm pretty sure they do resent us. I will try today to be the better person..... SIGH I just wish I wasn't so hard to improve!