great grandson

[muddywat]

my 20 year old grandson and his girlfriend who is a couple of years younger,had a beautiful baby boy and all seemed well for a while but,then,on his 20th birthday she binned him and moved in with another lad.now she says that my grandson does not do his duty by his son and that he ,and thereby we,cannot see the baby,who is now three,again.she wrote a letter to this effect which also stated that my wife and i are too old (early 60's) to mind the child.this has caused us great distress and we don't know what to do.is she within her rights and what should our grandson do and what can we do?

[Pigletion]

Visit CAB

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

They'll be able to tell you your rights and further places to go for advice

[STIDW]

The first step is to approach the Mother and offer some reassurance that you do not wish to take sides in the divorce but would like to able to continue having regular contact with the children and offer mediation or family counseling as a way forward. Alternatively you can approach a mediator or counsellor yourselves and they will invite the Mother.

If your grandson has Parental Responsibilities (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/ParentsRig hts/DG_4002954 ) or in Scotland Parental Rights and Responsibilities it is each parent's decision who sees the child during 'their' contact time, so if your grandson has secured/will secure contact there is no reason why you can't see the child then.

Ultimately grandparents in England & Wales have the same rights to apply to court for a contact order, the only difference being the court must grant leave to apply first.

[flip_flop]

Women who use their children in this manner are a disgrace - as she is quite obviously morally corrupt, offer to pay her.

I bet she will be quick to agree.

[tamborine]

She is within her rights. You're best move is to keep the banter going with her and win her trust & affection.

You have maturity over her and know how to 'persuade' obstructive kids.

Never is never, never!

[STIDW]

"Women who use their children in this manner are a disgrace - as she is quite obviously morally corrupt, offer to pay her.

I bet she will be quick to agree."

Wow, that's a lot of assumptions. There are hundreds of reasons why contact breaks down which is why recent legal reforms were directed partly against the non-primary carer, often the father, who will not commit and comply with contact and also partly against the parent with the majority of care, most often the mother, who for various reasons engages in preventing contact.

[muddywat]

thank you all for your help, it is much appreciated.