Grandparents rights to see grandchildren

simonw17

No, is the simple answer, I understand that Grandparents have no automatic rights to see grand children, however there are legal avenues to pursue but these can get 'extreme'.

far2812

You can ring this advice line - it is free legal advice for specific questions like this - all related to Children's law. I have called them a couple of times and they gave great advice.

It is confidential and you can remain anonymous if you wish.

Yes - you can apply for a Contact order with the grandchildren.


www.childrenslegalcentre.com/Legal+Advice/Legaladvicelines/thechildlawadviceline

benbmw1980

In some aspects i'm glad that gradparents do not have a great deal of rights.

I have twin sons who were born at 26 weeks and were severely premature. My parents continuously made excuss of why they could not see them and soon became evident that they showed less interest than the rest of the family.

I have nearly lost both of my children several times due to infection or chronic lung disease and due to the boys being so fragile we (me and my parents) agreed that we MUST all give up smoking before they come home. It is not uncommon that premature children with chronic lung disease need to go back to hospital to be re-ventilated and most commonly due to second or even third hand smoke. On top of this my mother refused to cut her long crusty nails (as advised by doctors and nurses for sanitary reasons) as this is a prime cause of spreading germs which can also be fatal to premature babies.

I have quit smoking and glad that I did, my parents on the other hand have refused and are now accusing us of blackmailing them into doing so. I was told by my dad to "not bring them round the house" if we did'nt like it. Due to this and other hurtfull and stressfull events we have now decided to stop them seeing the twins for their own safety.

I had a text from my dad yesterday saying I was being totally selfish for not letting them see my sons which has made me even more angry after they could not do the most simple things for the sake of my poor fragile sons conditions.

Max is now home but Alex is still in hospital and has a serious virus that could potentially leave him disabled which shows how easily germs are spread to premature ill babies. it has been over 4 months since his birth and we still don't know when he will be allowed to come home.

My advice to all you parents having problems with grandparents over visiting, Its not fair to cut them out of your childrens life for the sake of it but if like me you are really concerned of the affect they may have or you feel that your childs health may be in danger. DO NOT GIVE IN......... remember your children come first and they deserve better.

mac2lrk

At the end of the day - it is what is best for the children. My 2 hardly saw my in-laws, they made little effort to see them over hte years and now I have split with their father - his adultery .. and they are now saying they want to see them. My kids do not know these people, they spent one afternoon with them a year!! and insisted we go to a pub for that! - it is not in my children's interest to see these people.

granny123

I have a section 8 contact order by agreement made 2004. 2005 my grandaughter's then step parent (my daughter is deceased) made a section 26 adoption order. Contact continues roughly around the arrangment of 6 hours every two weeks. She has missed the odd one and her father (biological) tells me that she is getting older, she's eight, and sometimes she just wants to do other things. I dont accept this, it is obvious that her so called 'mother' doesn't want her to have contact with me due to my link with her real mum. I am told by one solicitor my section 8 contact order is void due to the adoption and I should reapply, another tells me it is still valid as the care situation has not changed. A senior family social worker told me that the contact I get is very generous and that I have no more rights to contact with my grandchild than any other child in the country. Who do I believe??

Jinx

granny123 wrote: »

I have a section 8 contact order by agreement made 2004. 2005 my grandaughter's then step parent (my daughter is deceased) made a section 26 adoption order. Contact continues roughly around the arrangment of 6 hours every two weeks. She has missed the odd one and her father (biological) tells me that she is getting older, she's eight, and sometimes she just wants to do other things. I dont accept this, it is obvious that her so called 'mother' doesn't want her to have contact with me due to my link with her real mum. I am told by one solicitor my section 8 contact order is void due to the adoption and I should reapply, another tells me it is still valid as the care situation has not changed. A senior family social worker told me that the contact I get is very generous and that I have no more rights to contact with my grandchild than any other child in the country. Who do I believe??

I cant help with the legalities Im afraid - but there is always a point in my experience where the childs friends/parties/hobbies start coming before grandparents. It might be the mother, but it might not. At 8 you could keep in touch more by Skype etc, less arranged but more frequent perhaps?

nearlyrich

If my ex had had anything to do with it his mum would not have seen her grandchildren, I took them to see her regularly and I know she appreciates that even now. Granny 123 maybe your description of "her so-called mother" is the problem, an 8 year old might feel uncomfortable if she feels she is being torn between you and her stepmum. Many chldren do want to do different things with friends etc as they get older.