I read with interest the April 12 letter to the editor, Protect Children During Break-up. I never thought we'd be in that situation but until you are, you don't realise how much hurt is caused to the wider family circle of the parent who doesn't have custody of their children.

As stated in the letter, the custodial parent does everything in their power to stop all contact and not only to the estranged parent, but aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins.

All of a sudden, all the love shown to the children by their relatives is not taken into account and we have no rights whatsoever. Stayovers, holidays together, birthday parties etc. stop. But when a new partner arrives on the scene, they are allowed more contact with the child than their own relatives.

Something has to be done at an early stage of separation where the children's contact with both sets of relatives is equal. Children should be loved and allowed to love. They are not a possession to be used by the custodial parent.

Concerned

(Name and address supplied)