What sort of relationship a grandparent and their grandchild have can have significant implications for both of them. And these implications can continue well into the grandchild’s adulthood.
For example, what a relationship between a grandparent and grandchild was like when the grandchild was a kid can impact how emotionally close the grandparent and grandchild are when the grandchild is an adult. Research indicates that when a grandparent and an adult grandchild are emotionally close, it may have mental health benefits for both of them.
A study published last year analyzed data that was collected over 19 years that regarded 356 adult grandchildren and 374 grandparents. From the data, the study found that close emotional ties between adult grandchildren and grandparents were associated with lowered depressive symptoms for both grandchildren and grandparents.
Given how important a good relationship between a grandchild and a grandparent can be throughout the grandchild’s life, disruptions of a child’s relationship with their grandparents could have long-lasting effects. One thing that can sometimes lead to such a disruption is a divorce of the child’s parents.
When, following a divorce of a juvenile grandchild’s parents, a grandparent is not being allowed to see their grandchild, the grandparent may wonder if they have any legal recourse. Texas law leans towards leaving the decision of whether to let a child have time with their grandparents with the child’s parents. However, there are certain situations in which a grandparent may be able to get court-ordered access to their grandchild. Lawyers can advise Texas grandparents facing grandchild access issues on their options.
Source: The Boston Globe, “Study: Close grandparent-grandchild relationships have healthy benefits,” Ami Albernaz, Dec. 14, 2015