When Grandparents Want Access: Who Decides?

At a Florida rally, a tearful grandmother approached Republican Byron Donalds. She said she hadn’t seen her grandson since early August and asked him to help her get visitation rights if he becomes governor. She explained that her daughter kept the child away because she refused to babysit, saying she had other plans. She mentioned she was talking with her congressman, Republican Randy Fine, about possibly creating a nationwide rule. Donalds told her he would look into the matter. A video of the encounter spread quickly online.

Many families are pulling apart these days. Some adults stop talking to their parents after advice from therapists, friends, or social media. Experts note that advice from counselors, peers, or online posts often drives the decision to cut ties. A recent survey showed that 38 % of adults in the U.S. had cut off a friend or relative in the past year. It’s painful to see politics poison close bonds. Yet turning to the government to fix family fights can be risky.

Lawmakers in several states have tried to force parents to let estranged grandparents see their kids. Last year bills appeared in Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri and Minnesota. Legislators in those states argued that grandparents should have a legal right to visit. None of them became law. Why? Because parents should decide what’sbest for their child. A Rhode Island case this year showed a judge siding with a father who kept his late wife’s parents away. The father proved the grandparents had secretly recorded him while he voiced worries about how far they’d go. The judge said the recording backed up the dad’s concern and his choice to limit visits. The Supreme Court looked at a similar issue in 2000 and said fit parents deserve deference when choosing a child’s care. Still, some states let anyone ask for visitation, like Connecticut and Delaware.

Parents have been pushing back in other arenas too. They have won cases that require schools to tell them before a child gets transgender‑related support and to get their okay. They have also fought to remove lessons or books they find objectionable. Groups such as Moms for Liberty are active in defending the idea that moms and dads should have the final say over their children’s upbringing. These efforts show parents trying to keep control over what their children learn and experience