Come on all you Grandmothers out there, admit it--you want to be the favorite!  Whether it's your daughter's child(ren) or your son's child (ren) you want to be the favorite.  Most of us don't want to admit that there is competition between the grandmothers but we all know it is true--there is!  I am at a disadvantage with my son's children, they live 7 1/2 hrs. away while their maternal grandmother lives in the same town.  That is not fair so I must take whatever measures needed to compensate.  Here are some of the things that I have found that work really well.

1. Always have a "sursie" (surprise) for them when you visit them or they visit you
2. Keep lots of soda, candy, cookies and bubble gum on hand
3. Have a party every day (see #2)
4. Allow them to stay up way past their bedtime and tell them it's "our secret"
5. Don't insist on daily baths (especially boys) or shampoos
   
6. Ignore your  work/chores and telephone when they visit
7. Read as many books as they ask for at bedtime
8. Serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch every day
9. Play on the floor with them, sing silly songs and dance, dance, dance
10. Hug, kiss and tickle them
    
11. Tell them stories about their Mother or Father when they were little
12. Bake cookies with them and let them measure, stir, crack eggs and get their hands messy
    
13. Take them to the park and push them on a swing 
    
14. Play outside with them after it gets dark, look at the moon and stars--Make a wish on a star
15. Tell them how much you love them and miss them when they are not with you
    

Good luck and if you have tips to add to my list, please do.  I'll play dirty if I have to!