Petition: Give legal right of contact between grandchildren and grandparents

The research is really clear about the benefits of two parents, surely it's possible to understand that and understand there are situations when it is more beneficial to leave. Surely it's also possible to understand that divorce is frequently beneficial to women. It's possible to hold a number of ideas in your head or we really are snookered.

Thanks Galaxy, you’re right snookered if we can’t hold a number of ideas

Yes, agree Galaxy. We all know, or should know, that ideally children would live in a stable environment with two happy and supportive parents. However, for some people, and as Galaxy says, it’s often the woman, the need to separate is very real, in fact very urgent. All too often, one partner, usually the woman but not always, is in real physical danger, she may well have been raped, and she is under the control of her partner. It may not be ideal for the children, although it could be the best outcome for them.
And this is where caring and supportive grandparents, and other extended family members come in. They are able to provide the continuity of contact and care, and the stability that the children, and the frazzled and disoriented parent, needs. As the parent settles into her/his new life, the extended family members are still there providing that security, comfort, and unchanging love that the children so need.

Agree, Galaxy. My parents separated when I was five or six, and divorced when I was nine. They maintained an amicable relationship for the whole of my childhood, and were both happily present at my marriage over fifty years ago.

At no point did I feel I was suffering from their split-up. It's not whether or not parents divorce that matters; it's whether they contrive for their children to grow up in a safe and happy environment, whether their parents are separated or apart.

With children it is overall resilience that is key

Children can be more resilient to many traumatic events with a positive role model

ACEs don't doom a child to lifelong mental and physical health issues and can be overcome with good resilience

GP's and other extended family can be as you say maddy invaluable when it comes to providing continuity and stability. My maternal GM was my rock when my parents marriage broke down. I honestly don't think I could have coped half as well without her.

Spot on grumppa, it really does come down to one simple factor; putting the needs and welfare of children first.

Yes, any positive role model in a child's life can help them become more resilient to ACEs