Who are alienated grandparents?

Alienated grandparents are those who are denied the opportunity to see and communicate with their grandchildren. The parents of the grandchildren, restrict or completely cut off contact between grandparents and their grandchildren.

Grandparent alienation usually occurs due to unresolved family trauma or conflict, parents separating leading to loss of contact with former in-laws, conflicting views on parenting styles, or a parent or parents deciding to intentionally limit grandparent involvement as punishment.

Grandparent alienation can have significant emotional and psychological effects on grandchildren. This can result in loss of connection to their wider family, and a belief that a family member doesn’t care about or love them.