Why, Our ED is not married but we have many wonderful gps on this site who should not be kept from their gc. If possible, it is usually best to settle situations out of court. It would be good of your ES would be willing to speak to the counselor and hear how good it is for gc to have contact with their gp. I really think many of these dear gc will look up their estranged gp when they come of age.

I am being kept from my 3 year old grandson, who I last held when he was only 7 1/2 months old.
Truly, it's criminal to keep children away from loving and caring grandparents. It's more of a right for our grandchildren to know their roots and to be loved unconditionally by their grandparents.

Like you, I've had thoughts of trying to go through the court system to have access to this child, however, I don't think it's the best way to go, and my husband & I haven't taken any legal action because quite frankly, we really don't think it would be in our grandson's best interest to have our adult son force visits with him, it probably would backfire, and make the child resent us and have to deal with his angry parent.

God will restore this relationship at some point in time. It's difficult to be patient. We know our little grandson isn't even given any photo of us, and we are denied any photo of him. Our ES and his wife are truly being so mean and God will bring justice to this family dysfunction some day...God knows all the details, and I faithfully put my trust in God alone to make this right in due time. It's so difficult to endure, I know...but endure we must.

Your grandchildren are older, and will remember you. Yes, it's emotional abuse towards them and your ES will have to be accountable for his actions some day...he's being selfish, as is my ES in putting his own agenda ahead of his child(ren). Emotional abuse is extremely difficult to prove in a court system, so it's best to not take any legal action. We, as grandparents can get some legal counsel if we want, but I don't go there. I'm getting my counseling from my faith in God, and since He's the Creator of all, He would be the Only One to make it right.

All I can say, be thankful for the times you did have with your precious grandchildren. Many here, like myself would treasure any memories of contact with our loved grandchildren..we aren't even allowed to make any now...my grandchild is still very young, and yet he will never know us, unless our ES decides to do what's right and come back into our lives. I understand your questioning about access...we want so much to love our grandchildren "up close". Pray for them, and perhaps because they are much older, they will put pressure on their Dad (your ES) to see you...they will remember your love, that won't go away.

(((((hugs)))))
Maddie

Great advice Maddie! I was just at the court yesterday, it was a madhouse full of vindictive people. I don't want to go back there, I, too, have thought about filing for GP Rights but in all honesty, even if I got them, I fear that my ED would punish my GS and make it even more unbearable for him. In HIS best interests, I am not at this time petitioning for GP rights. I won't drag the little guy into court to witness all the hate and contempt it entails. He will grow up fast (already has) and he knows where we are and we will welcome him with open arms! Until that day, I pray for him and for my daughter (as mad and angry as I am at her) I still love her and always will. I try to focus on staying healthy and wise.......and avoiding those "dark" thoughts. It is hard but it can be done, I am recently completely estranged, haven't seen my one and only GS since January. It is already June, I miss him dearly but I really have to put his best interests above all else. My ED can explain why he can't see me anymore, she can own it now, it is about time she owns up to her behavior without enabling Mommy (me) making excuses for her! Hugs to all and best wishes to you in whatever path your choose to pursue. I am thankful for the wonderful times I have had with my GS over the past 6.5 years, those memories can never be taken from me or from my GS. HUGS!!!!

Thank you so much for your replies and wisdom. You are totally right that I don't want to make a bad situation even worse. I will pray and wait upon the Lord for His wisdom will help us endure all things. No, I don't want to be vindictive and miserable. I want to be happy to see them when the time comes and also welcome the Prodigal if he should use to return. So my trust is in God as always. Thanks again.

From what I have read of others who have tried this, it rarely if ever, produces positive results with those who have chosen to estranges us - even if they are using the kids as tools for punishment. Their common response to it is usually something like...."They are MY kids and only I should have the right as their parent to decide who they associate with and who they don't." If I step into their shoes and see it from their perspective, I have to agree with that.

However, in your case, you had daily contact with them and played a major role in their upbringing and emotional well-being. The courts take a good look at that in many states, but not all. You may want to check out what your state tends to do. If they are pro-grandparents, you might want to try for "electronic communication rights" (Skype) rather than actual visitation rights.

Thank you for all the input. As advised, I just need to pray and let God handle it.