Hi, Carolyn: Our son committed a felony two and a half years ago. It was a horrific shock and he has been receiving the best possible treatment. It was not a crime against people.
Since that time, our other children (with one exception) will not allow us to have their children at our home unless they are personally present, though we baby-sat frequently before this. One of our children will not allow us to be alone with our grandchildren at all. We raised these adult children too, and they know we would never hurt our grandchildren. Neither of us had any criminal history. Our grandchildren love us and do want to be with us.
We would never leave our son (their brother) alone with them, and he has always been kind and loving to the grandchildren. Our children know this.
Our counselor told us our children are overreacting, we are clearly no danger to our grandchildren, and time would help. Its been two and a half years and there is no change. Once-close relationships are now distant.
We recently discovered one child lied to us about the whereabouts of our grandson, when he was cared for at the home of a couple (not related) after we had offered to watch him.
We are heartbroken. What can we do? Rejected Grandparents
Answer: Not much, except to be patient and steadfast and worthy of your childrens trust.
You have been all along, you say? Good then. Waiting is agony, yes. But not having to change course will help.
If you havent, though if there was a part of this you could have fixed before but didnt, taken responsibility for but havent, told your counselor and included in your letter but chose not to, and/or could remedy now with your other kids if you only summoned the courage to then thats exactly what needs your attention.
And acting as if there is no such error to atone for will only worsen the estrangement.
I am not saying youve made this mistake. Its just possible. Its also possible you didnt and these children are indeed overreacting, at a great cost to you and their kids.
I know which version you think is true. Access to your grandkids, though, lies in the version your kids think is true. So if theres a difference in perception, then you must address that.
Can you say which version your kids believe?
One more thing. Your counselor gave you the same baseline advice to give it time. But the other part you cite, that our children are overreacting [and] we are clearly no danger, sounds awfully definitive for a therapist or anyone who hasnt lived in your home to say. Is it possible youre hearing only the absolution you want to hear?
And looking for me to second it?
Again I cant say youre doing this. Just that its both possible and would help explain why your kids remain distant.
If instead youre just caught in the undertow of your sons mistake, then that is indeed heartrending, and unfair. And all you can do is wait.
Dear Carolyn: Close friends and family want to know why my five-year relationship just ended, as my partner and I were living together and actively making plans to get married and start a family. We just outgrew each other and are happier apart suffices for some who ask, but not the ones who know us really well.
Can you clarify why I should not tell people that my partner was a lowlife and a thief who stole thousands of dollars from me within six months a fact I have so far kept to myself in an attempt to be fair to him? Disclosure
Answer: What about the truth is unfair? Is there some question about his guilt?
Did he commit a crime for which he can be prosecuted?
Cheez.
If you just dont want to get into it with anyone, then feel free to tell the people who knew you well that he turned out to be a really bad guy and youre not ready to talk about it. Thats your prerogative to protect you, not your ex.
