An Edinburgh-based charity has helped more than 250 grandparents who have sought information and help over the last nine years over alienation from their grandchildren.
A review of the Shared Parenting Scotland database has revealed the charity has helped grandparents with information on behalf of their son or daughter whose relationship has broken down and support for those who are distraught because they themselves have been cut adrift from their grandchildren as collateral damage in their children’s dispute
The charity also reports examples of grandparents who have been main kinship carers for several years at the urging of social services, only to find themselves abruptly cast aside when the mother or father reappears in the children’s lives.
Shared Parenting Scotland say it is possible, but by no means easy, for grandparents to raise a child contact action in court in their own right to restore a relationship with their grandchildren. There is also the emotional impact of often having to raise the action against their own children.
“Grandparents can be no less hurt at the abrupt termination or restriction of a relationship that has been part of a child’s life. Sometimes, unfortunately, grandparents feel forced to take sides on behalf of their son or daughter and against each other.”
Shared Parenting Scotland Chief Executive, Kevin Kane, said.
The charity supports non-resident mothers as well as non-resident fathers, new partners, grandparents and wider family members and provides training for families on constructive communication and managing conflict without dragging children into the middle. Kane adds grandparents can often be the voice of reason in conflict and a mainstay for children during parental separation.
“We also see how grandparents can also be the voice of goodwill and good sense at a time of upheaval for children, reminding the mother and father of the importance of continuing as many as possible of the relationships their children have previously had with both sides of their family.”
