A parent first.

As a parent first, we want our children (what ever their age!) to be happy, safe and to be loved.

So when they find someone to share their life it should be a time to be treasured, we have children on loan, we hope to equip them for life to grow wings and we stand back and watch them spread their wings and fly.

As some of us know, it doesn't always turn out quite that way.

So what should we do when things go wrong?

When our 'children' are torn to pieces,when they are broken and when they want to end it all. When their relationship, is soured and ripped apart.

When our children are little we tend to keep on wishing them on to the next stage,sleeping through the night,feeding solids,play group,school,exams, leaving home,college,job and on......

when things go wrong they need exactly the same things that they needed when they were little.

A hug,a kiss and someone to listen.

Mum and Dad to be there, to be non-judgemental and to support them through a difficult time.

Of course as grandparents we are hurting too, I personally have to put that to one side, for me I was and still am a Mum first and I always will be.

The pain of watching our children going through a relationship breakdown and loosing their children can only be known by those of us who are experiencing it, and I have no words to explain the awful helplessness of not being able to take that pain away.

I could become bitter and 'bad mouth' those I feel are responsible for my child's pain, but where would that get me? Will that make the situation different, no.

The most important people here our the children.

My child and my child's child.

Jane
www.bristolgrandparentssupportgroup.co.uk