Often times when a couple goes through a divorce, the situation can become a tumultuous affair. While grandparents are not usually considered in the custody proceedings, there may be times that they will petition the courts for visitation rights if the couple can not agree on certain matters.
If you have been given grandparents rights to visitation, you will need to make sure you exercise those rights and fight to see your grandchildren, especially in a time they could need you them most. Here are some ideas of how you can get the most out of your time allowed.
Depending on the circumstances of how you were awarded your grandparents rights, the family unit may not be stable. If you have had to participate in court to defend the rights of your grandchildren against one of the child's parents, who in turn could be your own child; there may very well be some resentment and anger issues rising to the surface. Make sure that you stick to the times you were appointed from the courts to see your grandchildren. Never start a squabble in front of your grandchildren regardless of any ill feelings you or your own child may have.
Never speak ill of the parents to your grandchildren. Instead spend the time you have with them, sharing in their likes and making it a time where they can be stress free if only for awhile. some parents may think that grandparents rights are not as important as their own. It is your job to make sure that for the sake of your grandchildren, you can still be a part of their life to offer support and comfort at a time they may need you the most. Depending on your state of residence and what the terms of your court agreement were, you may have more time or less time than you had before your child divorced and your lives where spun into turmoil.
Making sure that you utilize every moment you can to help your grandchildren cope, adjust and remain emotionally stable, will be a key factor in the future of their lives and how they relate to a family of their own. You have the chance to be a hero for your grandchildren. In a time where parents are more than likely trash talking each other, trying to prove they are the better parent by working too hard, or even becoming withdrawn unable to deal with their own emotions; they may be oblivious to the emotional roller coaster ride their own children endure. Exercising your grandparents rights by being available in any way possible, by phone, email, online chat or in person at any time your grandchildren may need to talk, or just have fun, should be a top priority to show how much they mean to you.
To stay strong and offer the best support for your grandchildren you can, you may want to join a forum with other grandparents who are seeking their grandparents rights for visitation and sharing their hopes, ideas and experiences. You can easily do a Google search to find a few. Once you have learned other coping methods used by others, you may find the peace and strength to help be the best support for your grandchildren.
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