Do some grandparents really dislike their grandchildren?

I find it hard to believe that any grandparent could dislike their grandchildren. 

My mom and dad are so involved in our children's lives, and when not with them request voice notes, photographs and phones calls. 

My mom has often said the love she feels for her grandchildren is indescribable.

This week end while doing a quick grocery shop I overheard a gran saying  to another shopper ' this child is a brat, can't wait to take him  back to his mother' I found myself biting my tongue at this comment as even if she felt like that how unkind to say it within his small little ears. 

In reading this article I see that in fact as hard as it is to believe that this is a very real thing. 

Clinical psychologist Dr Rachel Andrew says it's a taboo subject, so we don't like to admit it even to ourselves, but adults react differently towards attractive children.

We don't want to acknowledge that we have such irrational prejudices - especially not Granny, who has been expecting to bask in mutual adoration with an angelic new baby.

But sometimes, when you have a fixed idea of how your grandchild will look, yet they come out like Shrek's uglier brother, it's really upsetting.

For some grandparents, the problem is that you love one grandchild so deeply already, it's difficult to care as much about another one. 'I couldn't respond well to my youngest granddaughter,' one grandmother posted on Gransnet, 'especially as I have such a strong bond with her sister, who is five years older.'

You might pour masses of enthusiasm into one grandchild because they remind you of your own children (or because they don't!).

One grandfather, Ian, adores one of his grandsons, Sam, who always liked messing about in 'Grandpa's workshop'. 

That never interested Sam's younger brother: he much preferred playing on computer screens. The boys are in their teens now, but Ian still has a much stronger bond with Sam.

'It's not something I like to admit,' he says, 'but I think the boys must know Sam is the favourite.'

Grandparents shouldn't necessarily feel guilty about not liking their grandchildren as much as they'd hoped, says Dr Andrew.

'We idealise the grandparent relationship - yet there are all sorts of things that can make it difficult. Being geographically farther away is one thing; feeling disappointed about looks or temperament is another.'

Source: The Daily Mail