Grandparents rights

[Susan card]

I’ve been stopped seeing my granddaughter by my sons girlfriend cause I shouted at the my granddaughter and her brother and said I would put them to bed . The girlfriend ran upstairs shouting at me to get out her house she left me and my son with her son and my granddaughter while she went to her mams her Mam came told us she wanted us out . This all happened 17th June she wanted me to apologize to the kids I agree everytime we ask to see your granddaughter she says no cause she is still in the huff with me so I need some advice on what I can do thanks

[Jermainem]

I’ve been stopped seeing my granddaughter by my sons girlfriend cause I shouted at the my granddaughter and her brother and said I would put them to bed . The girlfriend ran upstairs shouting at me to get out her house she left me and my son with her son and my granddaughter while she went to her mams her Mam came told us she wanted us out . This all happened 17th June she wanted me to apologize to the kids I agree everytime we ask to see your granddaughter she says no cause she is still in the huff with me so I need some advice on what I can do thanks

I think you should go and visit a good lawyer.

[james_law]

Unfortunately grandparents do not have an automatic right in relation to seeing their grandchildren. So yes you can be stopped by the parents from contact with the grandchildren. On the plus side this is very rarely upheld (only in circumstances of abuse or violence) as the courts see what a fundamental part they play in the upbringing of the children. I would advise not getting to this stage of going to family court and either try sit and speak and come to arrangement and maybe talk about what the mother felt you did wrong etc.

[Peridot]

Hi Susan Card,

It is always difficult when parents and grandparents disagree. It can also be so upsetting for the children.

What does your son have to say about it? Is his girlfriend the grandchild's mother? If not do you have contact with the mother and does she have a view? It seems a bit harsh being prevented from seeing your grandchildren because you shouted at them to go to bed.

Maybe you could arrange to see them with your son there or at the park for example and just avoid bedtime for the moment? Is there any other reason she reacted this way. Does she have concerns from a previous experience for example. Definitely worth trying to get to the bottom of it but in a supportive way. Demanding visits may not be the best tac tic at the moment until things have calmed down a bit.

It is definitely worth trying to reach an agreement to allow you to see the grandchildren without the need to rush off to see lawyers. It often doesn't help people cool down and reach a practical solution, although it of course has it's place in some situations.

Here if you need some support or guidance.

[MIKE770]

last resort would be a court order to seeing them - but as a last resort if all fails!

[SandraF]

The advice given by James Law is correct. Unfortunately, grandparents do not have rights to see their grandchildren unless the child's father/mother is having contact with the child. If you have apologised to the child/ren and she is still angry about this, the I will advice that you discuss attending mediation with her. Legal aid may be available but this will depend on your income and capital. Good luck and keep us updated as to how things are going with you, i.e. if contact has been reinstated. Sandra