My parents divorced in 1978 and my dad remarried 5 months later. My brothers (younger than me) have not spoken to my dad since then. In the early years, my dad tried to keep a door open for them and he says that if they called now that he wouldn't turn them away...but after so many years of having a door slammed in his face, he just had to let them go. Obviously, from the time period above, everyone blames my dad for the divorce...and back then, many companies held their employees accountable for actions outside of work ... he received a demotion...he tried hard not to say anything negative about our mom and still tries hard today. I'm sure it was hard for him to lose his sons, along with the respect of others. His parents were mad at him for years and took more time with my mom and brothers than my dad, but they did eventually come back to support him, as their son. On the otherhand, I've had many milestones in my life that my mom refused to attend because my dad was present...I had to bargain so that he could walk me down the aisle at my wedding...she and my brother walked out of the baptism of my first-born...recently, she walked out of my son's wedding because something didn't go her way. My kids have witnessed her behaviors and they have little respect for her; they are cordial to her but they are easily exasperated by her. The moral: Remember that the end of your relationship with your 'ex' was not the end of your relationship with your kids. Keep your heart opened for them and maybe as others (outside the family) begin to influence their lives, they'll come back around. As for your parents, if they think they're helping their grandkids, then it will be hard for them to hold back on giving money...if they think it is helping. Patience and a good friend to talk to will help you.