To toxic parents and grandparents:

When your children decide to keep their distance, or when they choose to shield their own children from you, it’s not to punish you—it’s to protect their little ones. It’s not an act of cruelty or spite, but a decision made out of love and care.
If you’re feeling hurt, pause and reflect. Sometimes that pain comes from a place of unmet expectations, a sense of entitlement you’ve created. You may have convinced yourself that you can behave however you want, without consequences. But relationships, especially with family, don’t work that way.
If you truly want to be part of your grandchildren’s lives, it starts with humility. Stop playing the victim, stop spreading negativity. Instead, take responsibility for the hurt you’ve caused. Understand that love and respect must be earned, not demanded.
Become the kind of person your children feel safe to welcome back into their lives—the kind of grandparent your grandchildren will cherish. It’s not too late to change, to show gratitude, and to build bridges instead of walls.
Love isn’t about control. It’s about creating a space where your family feels safe, valued, and loved in your presence.