July 2010 - On the couch
Should
grandparents have the right to see their
grandchildren?
Three readers talk about the role of grandparents and whether
they should have automatic rights to see grandchildren
Reader
Profiles
Heather Shanks, 48
A full-time foster carer and mum of one, she lives in Leicester
with her partner. She thinks children should be able to choose to
see their grandparents.
Irene Pearson,
61
Hailing from Blackburn, she has a grown-up son, five grandchildren
and a great-grandchild. She would like grandparents to have more
rights.
Avril Griffiths,
38
Lives on the Wirral, with her husband and two children. She
doesn't feel grandparents should have automatic access as it
should be earned.
How important do you think grandparents are?
Avril: "They're so important!"
Heather: "Yes, I totally agree."
Irene: "Both myself and my son's partner's mum are a
big part of
my granddaughter's life, but we do different
things for her. My granddaughter's other Nan is from abroad and
she teaches her about different cultures, languages and customs,
but we both give her treats and look after her."
Avril: "Grandparents are a family's link to the past and
can be backup when it comes to discipline and teaching manners. For
some families and working parents they can even help with
childcare. At the same time though, I think there's an element
of earning the right to be a grandparent. You can't just assume
you can be part of your grandchild's life if you haven't
been around."
Heather: "With some of the children we foster, contact with
their grandparents can be the only interaction they get with
family members. It's important because it can give them an
understanding into how their family works and provide reassurance
for them in terms of belonging."
Have your say!
Should grandparents have a legal right to see their grandchildren? (CLOSED)
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Comments:
"This could put children in dangerif their father is banned from seeing them. At present the mother has the choice wether she keeps in touch with the Grandparents.It would mean another court case to stop Grandparents enforcing their legal rights."
Janet Lambert - Saturday 26th Jun 2010
"This depends on the behaviour and attitude of the grandparent. What if he/she were an alcoholic and drank in front of the grandchildren or simply took them to the pub and gave them an orange juice and crisps to "entertain" them. What if the grandparent criticised or berated the parents in front of the children? Providing there is mutual respect, then obviously it is better for children to have contact with their grandparents but it all depends on how the contact is exercised. I have known of a grandparent who took her children to Court to get access to her grandchildren. She lost the case and because she took the action she did, she has no chance now of seeing her grandchildren again. Grandparents have huge responsibilities to both their children and grandchildren but the parents' wishes concerning their child's upbringing should never be undermined by the grandparents. "
Jean Lennox - Friday 25th Jun 2010