Indiana residents who get divorced while their chidren are still young know that they will need to help their children manage emotionally through the changes that the divorce might bring. The level of support needed does not only last while the divorce is in process but continues afterwards as well. One big change kids may face is an adjustment in their extended family relationships.
As explained by Psychology Today, it has become more widely acknowledged that strong relationships with grandmothers and grandfathers can be very positive for children. After a divorce, kids already have to navigate changes in time with their parents so it can be helpful to them to have good connections to grandparents. In fact, many suggest that increasing education to parents about the importance of these bonds may benefit kids and grandparents alike.
Another situation that may prove tricky in facilitating positive relationships between people and their grandchildren is when the grandparents themselves are divorced. NextAvenue suggests that some people are able to co-grandparent in the best interest of their shared grandchildren much like moms and dads consciously co-parent. Like co-parenting, however, this is not always easy and certainly not every grandparent is up for the task.
It may be good if the parent of the minor child can initiate the connections with the grandparent rather than waiting for the grandparent. In other situations, the grandparent may be able to take the lead with an adult child to maintain connections with the grandchildren even if it means interacting with a former spouse or former son-in-law or daughter-in-law.
