I wonder if the wise heads of Gransnet could give me some ideas on how to maintain meaningful contact with my three grandchildren aged 5, 7, and 8. To see the children has been hard fought, without boring you with the details, they were placed under care of social services and with the support of SS I managed to maintain independent contact with them. Once the case was resolved I was granted a contact order to see the children 6 times a year. Operating this contact order with my sons contact was too demanding for the children and I agreed to reduce my contact and now I only see them for 2 hours 3 Sundays a year. I do not get on with the children 's mother who is very controlling, was verbally abusive to me on one visit, and I have tried to get on with her, but she mistrusts any kind gesture from me (like sending flowers) and suggestions to go out to lunch etc. So we are where we are and little contact is better than none and I like to make the most of what I have. She will not permit me to have the children on my own, as previously, and appears chiefly concerned that I am going to say something derogatory about her to her children. I just tag along with time at a local park with the other grandparents who whilst outwardly polite and chatty can be very defensive and the other grandmother in particular appears resentful and touchy. How can I make the most of the contacts, I write letters in between chatty with family news, I keep an eye on subjects that are learning at school as content in the letters. I am uncertain whether they get them. I also send post cards and gifts from holidays. Requests to Skype and telephone between visits have been ignored. To see the children involves a 400 mile round trip so quite tiring for me. Your thoughts appreciated
Do you still have all your own teeth?
Pre Warning re Tonight’s Eastenders
What is a reasonable minimum spend for an online grocery delivery??