DEAR ABBY: I have two grandkids — a 4-year-old granddaughter, “Emily,” and a 2-year-old grandson, “Earl.” My husband is not blood-related to them. He treats Emily like a princess but treats Earl badly. She can do no wrong; he can do no right.

Anytime I have them both over, my husband and I have huge fights because of how he disciplines and ignores my grandson. He doesn’t show Earl any of the love he shows my granddaughter. I have tried talking to him about it, and he says, “Why can’t you get it through your head? I don’t LIKE boys.”

When I told him it hurts me, he just rolled his eyes. I see my options as not having my grandson over or ending my marriage. I’m now very resentful. What should I do? — TROUBLED GRANDMA IN MICHIGAN

DEAR GRANDMA: Could your husband be going through a late case of the terrible twos? Has he explained the reason for his dislike of little boys? It’s peculiar since, at such a tender age, Earl hasn’t been in the picture long enough to have offended anyone. If your husband can’t restrain himself around Earl, he should absent himself when Earl visits Granny. Or, tell your husband he must either manage an attitude adjustment or pack his bags.

I can’t imagine how, if Earl’s parents are aware of this, they allow it to continue.

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.