Question:
I'm so depressed...can you help?
Sidney
2006-02-27 07:52:24 UTC
Even tho I was chronically ill and worked full-time I raised my grandson from 6 wks to 5yrs. so my son could make a living and my daughter-in-law could concentrate only on her education and degree. She rarely took an interest in mothering. Divorce followed graduation in a week. Then she wisked our boy to parts unknown. We'e been so sad for a year not knowing where or how he was. I found them this week, but she won't let him talk to us or see him. We don't have money for a lawyer. Life without my grandchild is not worth going on. I am exhausted and drained of physical and financial resources.
Nine answers:
2007_Shelby_GT500
2006-02-27 07:58:32 UTC
Sorry to hear about your situation - it sounds very messed up, and is especially sad when children are involved.



I don't have too much advice to give on this, but why don't you try the following link:

http://www.lawhelp.org/



This seems to be a clearinghouse for information on free legal aid in every state. It couldn't hurt to spend some time looking at this site and maybe making contact with some of the resources they provide. Perhaps you could find a qualified attorney who could help with your situation. From what you have said, it does sound like you would have a good argument for some sort of visitation rights.



I hope this helps.



Good luck!
Atomin
2006-02-27 07:59:52 UTC
I'm writing you not with a solution, which I'm not sure of, but to tell you how sorry I am and sad for what's happening to you. You don't seem to deserve such a "punishment"! But I'm sure your grandson will always remember you dearly and when he's older he will take steps to see you again, I don't doubt that for a minute! Don't despair, it will happen! Make sure he always knows where to find you, one day there he'll be, in spite of his mother! My own experience is to the contrary, my ex's parents seemed so fond of their grandson but when we separated they never did anything to see him again, not even call him on the phone, though they have all our numbers. Such is life. But time wil set things out straight. Can't you find a pro-bono lawyer or something? I hope others will give you more valuable advice, meanwhile, I'm sending all my sympatjy your way, may the future bring you a great relationship with your grandson! I'm sure it will, just don't give up!
Kitty_Caboodle
2006-02-27 09:30:56 UTC
If you know where the mother lives it might be worth maybe writing to her, explaining that you don't judge her in any way and that you would like to offer your love and support in any way you can. Tell her how much you miss being part of your grandson's life and that you would love to be able to see him sometimes, at her convenience.

Failing that, see if there is any free legal help that you can get, but to be honest I think your best bet is to try and build a relationship with her, if at all possible.
2006-02-27 08:04:25 UTC
I'm sorry for what you are going through. This may not be of help but I will tell you anyway........ In 1992 my son died and his ex-wife stoped all contact with our side of the family. She wouldn't let me see my 2 year old grandson. I thought life would end and that there was nothing to live for anymore. However I got on with life as best as I could, hoping one day I would see him again. My grandson is now 16 years old and last year he came to me, with his mother. She explained how he had asked and asked about our side of the family and eventually she allowed him to contact me. she said she knew he would one day anyway so she would rather she knew about it. Now I see my grandson often. His mother and I don't get on well but we have a mumtual love for the child. I hope this helps you to hang on in there.
2006-02-27 12:44:17 UTC
Sure I can help. First let's understand the cause of your depression: The feeling of powerlessness that comes from the unfair judicial system that will give the mother of the child all the rights, that you cannot fight let alone defeat, and the fact you miss your grandson.



Although you cannot change any of those facts, I know you will be strong enough to accept the situation, and proceed based on that. Your daugher in law has your grandson as a hostage, and you need to negotiate on the basis of that premise, recognizing that she has your grandson, and you need to agree to her conditions. Talk about the benefit of having your grandson in contact with his father for his identity (not a fight a negotiation recognizing her power).



In the mean time try this suggestion: https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=1006022707485
Popocatepetl
2006-02-27 09:38:56 UTC
Mimi, i think i can sort of understand what you are feeling, sort of, since i don't have a grandson, but i have a son, and that kind of love is so big that is almost hurtful by itself.



I don't know if this helps, but i'll try.



I'm my self a mother of a boy, and i separated from his father when he was 3 years old. Altougth we never lived in the same citty of my ex bf family, but pretty close, and we visit them all the time, and they visit us frecuently.



I have move around my country because of my work, and i know my son's family sometimes miss him - not saying as much as you, since you raise him.



One thing is being dificult to me ( i would be like your daughter-in-law in this case ) is that we had a dificult break up, you know that when you finish a relation it's a problem of the two involved, and there are many bad stuff that happened inside that are dificult to forget, and to forgive.



Wheter we want it or not, we kind of make the family to share those guilties, and we translade to them some of our bad feelings.



So, first of all you should have talked to her, before (i'm not sure it's time yet but you can give it a try), about the relation with your grandson - wich is completely independent - on the relation with his father , or should be, you know what i mean?



Maybe they had diferences that canot be solved, or she and your son has issues that they have to resolve by they self, you try to ask her to see your grandson YOU, by yourself, because you want to give him the love he deserves.



Don't ask your self if she is rigth or wrong when it comes about your son, because you cannot be a fair judge. So leave it to them.



After that, i believe she can react better that she has done as far. Offer to her your help, but be honest when you do it, you have to mean it because you know we - woman- know when someone is being honest with you.



Remember that this is not about you, your daughter-in-law or your son, this is about your grandson, and you have to do what is best for him, and i believe (unless you see that his mother is making him some damage), that for a child the best is to be with his mother.



And that you have to support the only one person who will be there for him all of his life - and you know it, since you are a mother.



I'm not saying to take away your backup from your son, but try to separate those loves you have. I believe that you have to let your son to figth his own battles, and to find the understanding with his wife by him self. You can be backing him up, giving him ideas, but don't be in the middle, it's not good even for your son, he is mature enought to take this problem in his hands.



I don't believe this would be about lawyers, those law figths migth cause a big energy drain for all of you, and be hurtfull for your grandson.



Maybe you can get a good setlemen, talking with her in your best terms, and always appealing to the well being of the boy.



I wish you the best!



- Just to let you know, my son is now 11, and he spend almost all of his vacation with his father and grandmother and all the family, despite, he has been having economical problems for almost 5 or 6 years, and i have been the principal support for him.
Someonesmommy
2006-02-28 22:32:08 UTC
Did she tell anyone where she was going? Friend of the court sould know something if your son is being a good dad and paying support.
2006-02-28 10:19:48 UTC
i am so sorry to hear about your situation....you should have your son find a lawyer who will help him for little or no money it is child too and he has a right to see him
patrick
2006-02-27 07:55:47 UTC
That sucks. Sorry I cant help. I hope someone can. Good luck.


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