Esther Rantzen on grandparents rights

I think it would be entirely possible to set it up in law that grandparents' involvement in children's lives need to be considered when there are custody/ parental responsibility issues. I think too that the parent, who is awarded main carer responsibility, needs to be monitored to see that they are keeping to the agreed arrangements to benefit the children just as much as the 'visiting' parent in case they prove 'unreliable'. Any evidence of using children as pawns to score points has to be addressed. However I agree with others that 'policing' it will be tricky as it will require quite close monitoring by either SW/police/ Family support workers...all cost money.

Not quite the same but at the moment my Sis-i-L is making it v.difficult for me to see my nephews..she is pi**sed off with my brother... with some cause I might add.. but my other brother and I & our families are the only other close family the boys have. Seems wrong that her anger is making a sad situation even worse for the boys.

Yes Penstemmon I totally agree that the should be some kind of monitoring to make sure that the parent with custody is playing by the rules and perhaps then the situation that Labouroflove and her son find themselves in could not be allowed to happen. Separating/ divorcing parents often do use their children as pawns which is cruel.

It is hard. I once had to facilitate contact for a father at the scool where I worked and his child attended. All approved by mumand SW. However overtime the child said she did not want contact, not even letters from dad. I think it was clever manipulation by mum. Had no proof though.

It is about the needs of the children.
Although there is a perception that this is mainly to do with separation/divorce and mostly Paternal grandparents, it isn't.
It is a small percentage, it involves alcohol and drug issues, bereavement,domestic abuse and family feuds.

Penstemmon, I to have supported children i circumstances like you and it can be so distressing.
Also to see the manipulation that is clearly taking place causes life long damage to these children.

I think Grandparents should not have rights to their grandchildren, they are not their child and the parents ultimately know what is best for their own child or children they after all know them better than anyone. If good relations can be maintained between parents and grandparents then that's great and obviously the best situation all round but if not grandparents should not be able to wade in armed with the law imho.