Watson Esam | News | The Role of Grandparents

The role of grandparents has been increasingly recognised as vital both for the support of parents and for the wellbeing of children.  A recent survey revealed that grandparents play a crucial role, not just with childcare and financial support, but in the lives of teenagers helping with education and providing much needed emotional and practical advice.  More than two thirds of grandparents live within 10 miles of their grandchildren and 1 in 4 teenagers said they could talk to their grandparents about problems that they could not discuss with their parents.

When parents separate children inevitably experience major disruption.  One of the less obvious, but worrying trends is the loss of those grandparental relationships.  It is estimated that 4 out of 10 grandparents lose all face to face contact with their grandchildren - a tragedy for all involved.  In the difficult emotional climate of parental breakup it is easy to lose sight of the importance of extended family relationships but they can provide real stability and continuity for children.  Great sensitivity is often needed to preserve civil relationships for the sake of the children.  Mediation services are available throughout South Yorkshire to help families, including grandparents, and they can help overcome awkwardness and broker arrangements.

Where matters cannot be negotiated, it is important not to delay and allow positions to become entrenched and routines disrupted.  Legal intervention can often break the deadlock and where necessary an application for a contact order can be made to the family courts.  The courts recognise the vital role of grandparents because they focus not on the adults but on the children's right to a full family life.

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