Joanna Fortune: My granddaughter doesn't want to share me with her baby sister

Your granddaughter has, no doubt, benefitted hugely from your relationship with her. Picture: iStock 

I have a close bond with my granddaughter, who is three years old. I’ve been looking after her two days a week since she was a toddler. Her sister arrived last year, and now my daughter-in-law is about to return to work. I also plan to look after her, but my older granddaughter gets upset almost every time I pick up the baby, saying her sister is bold or that I have to put her down. I know it’s probably a phase, but I’m not sure how best to handle it.

It may be more an expression of frustration and fear that the new baby will take all your glorious attention and focus away from her than a phase.