Most Pennsylvania residents think of child custody disputes as matters between a mother or father. However, it is extremely common for grandparents to also enter into the child custody debate. Indeed, grandparents are assuming the role of parent to their grandkids for a variety of reasons. In some situations, an responsible child may not be able take care of a baby because of drug problems or in other situations, a death of a child could result in a grandparent taking on such a responsibility.
Many grandparents who are serving the role of parent to their grandchildren feel blessed to have the opportunity to be with their grandchildren all the time. Still, it does mean that they must forfeit the opportunity to spoil their grandchildren as normal grandparents do.
One Pennsylvania grandparent who has taken over custody of her grandchild said that the most important thing she has to do is make sure that her grandchildren know someone is there to fulfill the needs. The same grandmother also mentioned how important a support group has been to facilitate her transitions into parenthood again. The meetings are both helpful and confidential, the grandmother said.
She also provides some advice to other grandparents who are in similar situations. She encouraged grandparents to cherish the moments they get to have with their grandchildren and not to give up. She said that the benefit of spending so much time with one’s grandchildren far outweighs the potential downsides of needing to take on such a difficult responsibility.
There are many different circumstances in which a grandparent may need to rise to the occasion and fight for the custody of his or her grandchild. Indeed, depending on the situation, a Pennsylvania grandmother or grandfather may be able to present a very solid legal case in family court for gaining full child custody of his or her grandchild.
Source: PrescottValleyTribune, Many grandparents are raising their grandchildren” Sue Tone, Jul. 30, 2014