I, like so many others have watched with interest many ‘new’ groups and organisations over the last 18 years setting up, each have their own individual ideas how they believe we need to move things forward, as far as estrangement is concerned.
About twenty years ago organisations were campaigning for Grandparents Rights, the right for grandparents to have access to their grandchildren, that campaigning has continued , debates at Westminster, awareness raising in all media forms, countless interviews, we have all done it, frankly going nowhere.
Light Bulb.
I had that light bulb moment many years ago, when I realised that, in my opinion, we were all coming from the wrong direction.
This was never about Grandparents Rights at all, after all do we actually have a right to be a grandparent?
It was and is about grandchildren being able to have a loving and caring relationship with grandparents, as long as it is safe for them to do so. A child needs to know about their family history and their identity.
Programmes such as ‘Who Do You Think You Are,’ shows clearly how important it is to know where we come from.
We also have to accept that maybe when these young people do find out about their family that it may not be the family they were looking for, everyone must respect that.
We need to be able to show them who we are and to allow them to make up their own minds and always keep that door open for them.
There is no doubt that the unique relationship between a grandparent and grandchild is special, there is no other relationship like it.
What group is right for you.
Everyone must do what is right for them and look for the sort of group that suits them, it could be that indepth meetings with speakers is for you, or a group where you can share your feelings in a safe environment, or a campaigning group, they are all out there!
Just think carefully about what you need, don’t be taken in by gimmicks or glossy leaflets and websites or those promising things that are unobtainable.
Your well-being is paramount, you need help and support not adversarial rhetoric.
