My kids prefer to spend more time with my parents than with my wife's. I think it's because they get to do 'more stuff' at my parent's home. My in-laws are also a little stricter. My wife is not to happy about their obvious preference, what can I do?

Tell her her parents aren't fun? :D Seriously, I grew up in a similar situation (but reversed), and there's nothing you can do to change it. It might get better as your kids get older and can do more big kid stuff, but it might not. We always hated going to my dad's parents house. Still do, even though his mom is the only one of my gparents left.

I also grew up in a similar situation. There was a time once that my father's mother babysat for us, and she wouldn't let my four year old sister go to the bathroom for FOUR HOURS because the woman believe that my sister would run away if she let her! Of course she didn't think that there might be a reason to run away, and even had the nerve to scold my sister when she had an accident. We called her Grotbags.....

So just be sure that you are an advocate for your kids if ever they are struggling with a difficult situation like that.

I think this happens with many families. My fathers side was always "NO NO NO" and my mothers was more slacked. You could always sit down and talk with them, right?

They can have whatever opinion of the grandparents, so long as they are respectful about it. They still have to go and visit, lol. Maybe bring something for them to do such as a game or project so they aren't stuck somewhere with nothing to do or no toys?

I rarely got to visit my grandparents on either side and adore them both equally so I didn't have this issue. My paternal grandparents had 7 kids, and dozens of grandkids so they were tons of fun to visit. My maternal grandparents only had me for a grandkid so they spoiled me rotten as much as they were allowed.

Kids will always prefer those who they can get around easily or those who give them a certain amount of leverage. I think it's okay for grandparents to spoil children a little, not too much though.

So the kids have their preference. Nothing is wrong with that as long as they are not disrepectful of their maternal grandparents. Balance out their time with the grand-parents and also share with them, stuff that the kids enjoy.

It's interesting that your wife is upset that the children prefer the company of your parents. But what does your wife's parents think about it, if anything? If they are blissfully unaware that the children prefer the other set of grandparents, then it's probably best to leave it that way :o

Anyway, kids can be really contrary and who knows who they'll prefer in the future! :D