Esther Ransome on the One Show

We are blessed with 9 grandchildren. We both just listened to Esther on the One Show and for the most part we agree with everything that she said. But there is one exception.

One of our grandchildren has a grandmother and grandfather but there is no way at present that they should be allowed to see him. They are both heroin addicts and when our grandchild in question was born their first reaction was for him to do a DNA test to test if their son was the father. They also wanted the same for his current partner.

When he was born our daughter took their grandchild to see them she went with them to visit a 'friend' and aghast to find herself watching them buy heroin from a dealer. In addition to this we strongly suspect that the grandfather still takes his other son thieving to feed their habit. For goodness sake Esther, please make sure that any legislation does not give such immoral people automatic access to their grandchildren without suitable safeguards in place to stop vulnerable children being exposed to this sort of behaviour.

Deadline for Esthers' questionnaire responses is tomorrow March 10th.

Esther is sending out letters to families who have contacted her with a questionnaire attached.

Thank you all for your support and kind comments.Over 700 hits to our grandparents blog after Esther's item !!
I didn't tell friends locally about our meeting with Esther and was glad not to be filmed speaking as I didn't want to cause any more bad reaction from GS and family.
However lots of friends have said they saw my very brief appearance and expressed their support.Hope some good comes out of it.
We did have 3 grandfathers present and Esther asked them also about their thoughts and feelings .
Surely the 14 million grandparents in UK can effect a change in the present justice system which denies so many children contact with grandparents.

I haven't had time to watch it yet, but it's heartening to read the comments here. It's a subject that needs to be more openly talked about. The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren has the potential to be a wonderful experience for both. The older I get, the more clear memories of special times with my grandparents, and the wisdom they passed to us, seem to be.

I too was saddened, but I hope ER's involvement will make a difference to some families.
My best wishes to all in this horrible situation.

I've just watched this on Catch-up, and was so touched by it. Although my DD has estranged herself from me (twice now) she never did stop my granddaughters from coming to see me. I don't know how on earth I'd have coped with that.
The best of wishes to all of you affected by this. xx

I only saw the tail end of the piece but it reduced me to tears. I sincerely hope some good comes of it.

I fervently hope that good things will come of Esther Rantzen's efforts to re-unite grandparents with their grandchildren.
I am so lucky to see all four of mine regularly, and send my heartfelt sympathy to those of you that do not.
Good wishes and good luck.

Have just watched this, I cannot imagine the true depth of longing estranged grandparents endure , I am so deeply sorry x

If the programme makes just one estranged family sort their differances it will be worthwhile,Jane & Marc and their fellow grandparents have done so much good work for this cause and I hope things get better for them in the future lets hope Esther's input will bring it more into the media's attention.

I'll find this and watch it. Thanks for the post jingles, I didn't know about the programme. Will watch out for you maniac x

I agree, Tegan! Maniac is calm and wise, and strong. for you, Maniac. x

Here's hoping Maniac

I know I've said this before but it's beyond me how anyone can not want Maniac to be in their childrens lives; they are missing so much. Oh I do hope something good comes from this.

Everything is crossed for you Maniac You came across looking calm and wise. I do hope that there's good news on the horizon.

I spelt Esther' s surname wrong didn't I.

Doubt if she would mind.

I hope this helps. A high profile campaign to change the law would also be good.

I think it is a wonderful cause and hope that a lot of good will come from this and now that Esther Rantzen is on board helping promote this, it can only help and do good. Jane is a lovely person and has and is working really hard with Marc and I just think how amazing they both were and very calm and dignified. To all Grandparents going through this I send my love and best wishes.

Maniac

Yes it was me.We talked for nearly 2 hours.-with 2 cameramen filming.I did have quite a bit to say but we knew it would only be a short edited item
Esther was lovely -very sympathetic and shocked by some of our stories.
Please keep hoping that some good will come of it.

My heart aches for you Flower, truly it does. And all other grandparents in a similar position. I could weep.

Am estranged from two of mine but they (especially the girl) have been so poisened against us by the mother that I don't think they will want to see us.

I guess anything that raises the profile of such a sad issue has the potential to start a few balls rolling. And I reckon she's the ideal person to at least try to start some kind of mediation service. It may well bear fruit. I do hope so. I couldn't bear to be estranged from my grandchildren.

I suppose it's got to come from the parents in reality.