Grandparents love to spoil their grandchildren and make them happy, whereas as a parent, you take your responsibility for your children’s health and wellbeing seriously. This, together with different experiences of what childhood means, can be a recipe for anxiety and conflict.

In this episode, parenting expert Sue Atkins talks with Andrew about how to have positive conversations with your in-laws. Andrew and Sue cover:

• When to start a conversation.
• Recognising the value of grandparents’ input.
• Discussing where shared values might lie.
• Finding balance and seeing the bigger picture.
• What to do if your in-laws just won’t observe your boundaries.

Sue Atkins has over 35 years experience as a parenting coach and Deputy Headteacher, and has raised two children of her own. She is the Parenting Expert for ITV’s ‘This Morning’, BBC Radio, Disney Junior, Good Morning Britain and India’s Parenting World Magazine. Sue has a B.Ed (Hons) Degree and is a qualified Life Coach. She is also an NLP Master Practitioner & Trainer taught by Dr Richard Bandler & Paul McKenna.

Subscriber Content This Week

If you’re a subscriber to The Meaningful Life (via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Patreon), this week you’ll be hearing:

• Support yourself and your child through change.
• Three things Sue Atkins knows to be true.
• AND subscribers also access all of our previous bonus content - a rich trove of insight on love, life and meaning created by Andrew and his interviewees.

Follow Up

Get Andrew’s free guide to difficult conversations with your partner: How to Tell Your Partner Difficult Things

Take a look at Andrew’s new online relationship course: My Best Relationship Tools

Visit Sue Atkins’ website.

Follow Sue Atkins on Instagram @sueatkinsparentingexpert, on Twitter/X @SueAtkins and on Facebook @SueAtkinsTheParentingExpert.

Andrew offers regular advice on love, marriage and finding meaning in your life via his social channels. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @andrewgmarshall and on Substack at The Meaningful Life.