AND FINALLY

The right to see our grandkids

IN MY 14 years as an advice columnist, letters from grandparents have caused the most sadness, even before I became a grandmother in 2012.

I’ve had so many desperate letters from men and women deprived of seeing beloved grandchildren due to family rifts and toxic breakdowns.

All too often, a hurt/angry/ malicious daughter-in-law cuts off contact with her husband’s parents, and they are helpless.

Or sons and daughters quarrel with their own parents.

It is so cruel, impacts on many lives and causes untold distress. As a result, grandchildren are deprived of a special bond.

It’s estimated that more than one million children in the UK are denied access to their grandparents.

If you read the letters I’ve been sent, you’d weep.

One grandmother used to send me a poem each year at Christmas to the grandchildren she is not allowed to see — and her words broke my heart.

So I was pleased to discover next Wednesday, September 4, is an action day, with a meeting at the Palace of Westminster called Broken Bonds: The Plight Of Children Estranged From Their Grandparents.

Its aim is to ensure legislation implements what the EU Court of Justice ruled in May — that ‘grandparents have a legal right to see their grandchildren’.

‘The right of access refers also to . . . other persons with whom it is important for the child to maintain a relationship.’

This must be implemented here, no matter what happens.

Lorraine Bushell, chair of the London Grandparents’ Group and organiser of the action day, tells me it is oversubscribed.

But her email is hendon grandparents@gmail.com and she will provide information to anyone interested. You could also look at grandparentsplus.org.uk and verywellfamily. com/cope-with-losing-contactwith

I hope it offers some consolation to know that you are not alone and that others are working on your behalf.

Bel answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, london W8 5TT, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.