Grandparents in WI

[Raisingmaddy]

I just came across this thread and just have to say WOW, shockingly familiar. OP I understand your frustration as this is very similiar to something I am going thru. You might want to look over my last thread, it could help.

 

[Mamax2]

Well, I went today to the mediation. And I did HAVE to go (court ordered). Found out a few things. In WI, just about anyone who is a party to a child can just go to family court and request mediation without there being any kind of hearing or such. That being said, my lawyer said that she wasn't advising me to not go, because she can't as it was a court order, but not to agree to anything (great advice).

We got in there (can you say tension and awkward??) and then the 40 min schpeeel about what mediation is and isn't. At about the 45 min mark, there is actual talking. They want to be able to see their grandson (only taken them 3 years to get to that point). Blah blah blah.. Then my turn. I said "Apparently after 3 years, they decided they want to see their grandson". Got into a few things (and g-ma did apologize about her phone messages - ) After some back and forth, I was talking about kiddo, said something (I honestly don't even remember what it was about) and they started going OFF on me. The mediator interrupted them, told them to take a deep breath, what's done is done and this is about moving forward. I was ready to grab my purse and walk. But she convinced me to stay. They wanted to continue to do mediation to get some visitation (now it was to help him realize his dad would be back in his life soon). I stated nope, I won't. The visitation you get is on whatever parent's time they want to afford you. I will NOT agree to a separate visitation agreement with them AND dad. They stated they don't want that either (then why the attorney, huh??). I said dad and I have a mediation time that's coming up and WE will determine what's in kiddo's best interest. Few other things said and they had a come to Jesus moment - they said if they have to wait until dad's out, so be it. I almost cried. From shear joy. Mediator didn't know how to really wrap things up but to say dad and I would be talking soon and hopefully we can have everything worked out.

So, I'm ready to have a small drink tonight and have a "Good for me" conversation with myself.

Now I have a whole 'nother set of issues to talk to dad about... Another time, another post

 

[LdiJ]

Well, I went today to the mediation. And I did HAVE to go (court ordered). Found out a few things. In WI, just about anyone who is a party to a child can just go to family court and request mediation without there being any kind of hearing or such. That being said, my lawyer said that she wasn't advising me to not go, because she can't as it was a court order, but not to agree to anything (great advice).

We got in there (can you say tension and awkward??) and then the 40 min schpeeel about what mediation is and isn't. At about the 45 min mark, there is actual talking. They want to be able to see their grandson (only taken them 3 years to get to that point). Blah blah blah.. Then my turn. I said "Apparently after 3 years, they decided they want to see their grandson". Got into a few things (and g-ma did apologize about her phone messages - ) After some back and forth, I was talking about kiddo, said something (I honestly don't even remember what it was about) and they started going OFF on me. The mediator interrupted them, told them to take a deep breath, what's done is done and this is about moving forward. I was ready to grab my purse and walk. But she convinced me to stay. They wanted to continue to do mediation to get some visitation (now it was to help him realize his dad would be back in his life soon). I stated nope, I won't. The visitation you get is on whatever parent's time they want to afford you. I will NOT agree to a separate visitation agreement with them AND dad. They stated they don't want that either (then why the attorney, huh??). I said dad and I have a mediation time that's coming up and WE will determine what's in kiddo's best interest. Few other things said and they had a come to Jesus moment - they said if they have to wait until dad's out, so be it. I almost cried. From shear joy. Mediator didn't know how to really wrap things up but to say dad and I would be talking soon and hopefully we can have everything worked out.

So, I'm ready to have a small drink tonight and have a "Good for me" conversation with myself.

Now I have a whole 'nother set of issues to talk to dad about... Another time, another post

Congrats to you!