I can’t stop worrying that my grandson will be taken abroad by his dad

DEAR DEIDRE: I CAN’T sleep at night, worrying that if anything happens to my daughter, my little grandson will be taken out of the country.

My daughter is 23 and my grandson is two. He’s the light of my life. He’s brought such joy to our family.

My daughter got pregnant on a holiday with friends. She met a Spanish man and had a one-night stand.

He seems nice enough and he visits us here in the UK a few times a year. He sends money for his son but he won’t move here and my daughter doesn’t want to live in Spain.

One of my good friends has lost her son recently to a stroke. It’s been so tough for her.

It got me thinking that if anything ever happens to my daughter, my grandson’s dad may be able to take him back to Spain with him. His name is on my grandson’s birth certificate.

I’m his nanny and I’m 51.

DEIDRE SAYS: If his name is on the birth certificate then he does have parental rights. It may be worth talking to your daughter about her wishes should the worst-case scenario arise.

If she would prefer for her child to be with you or another relative but not your grandson’s father, given that he is not living with your daughter, she can apply for a child arrangement order.  

She can find out more about this via the Government’s website (gov.uk).

If you are worried, you can talk to Grandparents Apart (grandparentsapart.co.uk, tel: 0141 882 5658).