Surreptitious

That's all I could do. This is my Japanese daughter in law who is delightful but lapses into Japanese all the time. She is creating a wonderful meal. Daughter Zoe, is 14 and not into smiling at anything.
Thankful for:
We have to be so careful - the children's parents have huge problems with their children - our grandchildren who are anti the world of grownups... but maybe our small influence can help!

[Beryl Lloyd]

Ha ! certainly not "Happy , happy talk " time ! Maggie !

[Brennie B]

Lol. Of a certain age face.i remember it well

[Brigette]

How good to have a Japanese cook in your family!!!

[Nick]

Was Zoe a bit anti the move to NZ? 14 is a difficult age to leave all her friends, her school and everything that's familiar, to try and settle in a different country and culture. Everything will be so strange to her and I'm sure she'll feel like a fish out of water for quite a while.

[Delwyn Barnett]

That will lead for some interesting family dynamics Maggie - I hope it all goes well. I am sure you will have a positive influence on your grandchildren.

[Babs]

Oh dear, I think as far as you are concerned it is best to just breathe and keep calm. Best to keep out of it all.

There is a very old Chinese proverb - Man who stands in middle of road gets hit by trucks coming both ways.

[katy]

I know you are excited to have your family closer but I imagine it is a challenge for everyone involved in some ways. @nickspicsnz made a very good point about the 14 year old.

This is a terrific photo to document the moment and hopefully someday they will be able to look back on it and smile! Patience Maggiemae!

[gloria jones]

Great capture...I am happy my great nieces and nephews love all of their grownups :).

[Kate]

A stereotypical teenage face

[Diana]

Such a difficult situation you are in MM, we lived in Japan for ten years and I can imagine the issues. They are wonderful people but so very different to the western world. Lovely shot btw :-)

[Pat Knowles]

So hard for children that age to move to a new country….I’m sure there have been many tears & angry words, to be expected but hard work for everyone. Let’s hope by this time next year there will be smiles all round! I think your DIL must be very stressed!

[Maggiemae]

@brennieb I think that is correct, Brennie! Four years ago at the age of 10 she was a happy smiley person!

[Maggiemae]

@happypat I think she is stressed and always has been. She does everything for the kids and so they don't do anything and expect much. 17 year old son can also resort to violence if he doesn't get his own way!

[Maggiemae]

@ludwigsdiana We are hopeful that in a year's time, things will be better, Diana!

[Maggiemae]

@nickspicsnz So true, Nick but the school offers so much to all the students 1/3 of which are Asian.

[Maggiemae]

@grammyn We keep our mouths shut - mostly - John will tell the children to do as they are told though! When they don't.

[Maggiemae]

@brigette She makes some fabulous food, Brigette - and has a new rice-cooker!

[Maggiemae]

@onewing I love that saying, thanks Babs! But which side of the road should we keep?

[katy]

@maggiemae I admire your restraint!

[Issi Bannerman]

Bound to be challenging, but it will be all right on the night!

[Babs]

@maggiemae keep to your own and leave the rest to themselves.

[CC Folk]

You are in a tough situation, Maggiemae. Unfortunately, it is best to breathe, remain calm, and hope the kids grow out of it. Teens are grumpy/ in angst and hopefully they will grow out of it. All you can do is live your life and try to love them. :)

[Maggiemae]

@gardenfolk Its difficult not to intervene but it really should be the parents who guide. I guess we might just be known for presents of chocolate!