Grandfather rarely sees his Granddaughter who lives nearby

How lovely that your OH has seen his DGD specially at this time of year and that it has lifted his spirits,as said above manipulation may be the key to the problem but at least the door is open for other visits in the future,the little one is old enough to remember these visits so don't be disheartened in any way at all.

Teens and young adults find divorce much harder to deal with than little ones. My girls were 17 and 21 when I finally escaped and even though I was the innocent party throughout the marriage they sided with their dad. I like to think it was because I protected them so well from the monster that he was but I think it's more likely that he was able to manipulate them in the way the way he manipulated me.

This is probably what's happened with your partner's children. Their mother has manipulated them and turned them against their dad. All he can do is keep trying to chip away and hope that in the end he can form some sort of relationship with them.

I did that with my girls and although they still pay more attention to their dad they've come around to the idea that maybe I had no choice when I escaped.

I am glad that the visit went well and that your partner has at least had this opportunity to see his GD. Take heart from that.

Hi mcleod and welcome if you're a new Gransnetter.

I don't have any easy answers, there never are any in a difficult situation like this one - but I do wonder, if your partner is happy with what contact he does have with his granddaughter, and returns radiant and proud, isn't that enough for you for now? I'm perhaps being clumsy in how I express this but if he isn't resentful, then could you just be happy for him and keep your thoughts to yourself, instead of getting upset for both of you.

It seems that you are sad too that there are no offspring - including grandchildren - from your relationship. I'm sorry that causes you pain.