Legal Question in Family Law in Texas
I have a 3 year old grandchild that I cared for while his flight attendant mom was working. When she was home she also had reasons needed me to care for him. My daughter(flight attendant) has been so mean and evil as far bk as remember. In front of people she seems like nicest person and best Mom. No one in family wants anything to do with her and she lost all freinds. There are clinics that hav given her written notice that she no longer can be seen there. I have gone so far as to come home from two trips in europe because Amber said she had to work and when I got home it ended up she was off for two weeks. We think she is narcissist. I have been crying and treated bad no matter what I do for her. She always accuses me and others of things that only she does. For first time, shortly after Thanksgiving 2011 I let her know that I cld not watch my grandson on a day I had something planned. She said that meant I don't want him any more and does not let me see him at all. He begs her to let him go to Grandma's house and she tells him that I don't want him any more because he is getting big and that I don't love him. Seems everyone has figured her out so she is moving to st louis where her Dad lives. She is divorced and I don't know how to get hold of child's Dad. My Grandchild and I would play all day when he was here. He never has seen me in a bad mood or heard any arguing. We turned our home in, what looks like a daycare with swingset that my grandchild build with grandpa. Amber has called me twice since then asking if I want to keep my grandbaby this time while she works. I said, "Yes" and shortly before time he is suppose to come over she tells me that she changed her mind and its a bad idea. So I get so excited and then so,so dissapointed. In past Amber said we shld go to counseling together. Sounds good except, I have read that people like her can convince a judge that I am crazy or whomever is with her. And she is good(perfect) at what she does so did not see point in going. I was just going to let her go and put it all behind me and except it. It isn't easy at all. I know there is nothing I can do. But I should at least make sure that there really is nothing I can do. I can't sleep at night thinking about what my grandchild must be going thru with his mom, telling him things like that. She says she will always be honest to her child so tells him how screwed up everyone is. He is so young and should only be thinking about fun and kids things, not about grandma does't want him. I know she did this with other grandma. Amber somehow has a way to keep us all apart so we never talked. Her first husband committed suicide. Amber sure knows how to make anyone want to do that. She has told her sister's mother-in-law that she has always hated her sister. Anyway, I don't know if , for the child's shake I shld just let it go or try to help him. I do have an old phone where Amber sent me a picture of hand mark she left on his but. And she text that I need to come get him. Other than that I can't prove anything. She really is good at letting everyone think she is a perfect mom. Is there even anything I can do? And if I do is this going to hurt the child more than what he is already going thru. Is whatever I do going to cost me anything? I want to do what is best for my grandson or at least know there is nothing I can do. Leil
1 Answer from Attorneys
Grandparent rights in Texas are very limited and every time the legislature meets, our elected representatives further limit grandparent rights. But grandparents CAN get SOME rights. You need to visit a local family law attorney and find out whether your facts are likely to get you appointed as a possessory conservator of the child.
Also, if counseling would get the grandchild back, I'd do that and stop trying to overthink the situation. Parents hold 51 of 52 cards in the deck--you just have to play by their rules, crazy though they may be.
Good luck!!