The effects of divorce on parents and children have been widely discussed and well documented, but often overlooked is the fact that family break-ups hurt grandparents as well. Often, however, the heartbreak grandparents experience is forgotten as they meet the needs of their children and grandchildren.
As tempting as it may be to try to fix things, it is best to stay neutral through the divorce process. Instead of taking sides and offering unwanted advice, step back from the situation and offer to help each of the divorced parents. It will go a long way toward future visitation if you stay neutral and positive.
A lot of these potential pitfalls and emotional minefields are revealed in the literature available from The Custody Center. These are difficult issues, and The Custody Center has compiled answers about then you can obtain easily and discreetly so your grandparents rights are not ignore or discarded.
Expect to encounter negativity from an unhappy and hurting parent. Resist the temptation to give in and pass on the negativity to your grandchildren. Ignore the comments and find something positive to say instead. Be careful, too, that grandchildren do not hear any heated discussions over the phone or in person.
In return, you may be surprised at how eagerly children develop their own positive outlooks about you, despite what an upset parent may be saying. When you choose to be pleasant and upbeat around your grandchildren, they will feel loved and secure.
Your heartbreak may be hard to mask at times, but if you keep your focus on your grandchildren, your patience and peacekeeping agenda should pay off. However, if you have exhausted all your efforts and a parent refuses to let you visit your grandchildren, make an effort to know your grandparents rights.
One good way is through the resources of The Custody Center. You can download instant information to update on what your grandparent rights really are, and what legal steps you may or may not want to take. This will also save you a ton of money if you find you do indeed have to consult a lawyer, since you will not have to waste time as he explains all of the basic legal concepts to you.
You may also find the answer you seek without going to an expensive attorney, and that is always desirable for grandparents who care about their grandparents rights but do not have a fortune to spend on legal fees.
Neil