“Get through it, Sam, until you can get out of it.”

This was Ms Barbara Reid’s husband’s moving advice to their grandson Sam. In her emotional talk, she recounted a heart-breaking story centred around her grandson, Sam.

Sam is twelve years old now, but his parents got a divorce when he was only two years old. His mother, Kelly, had post-partum depression and bipolar, but she still looked after Sam for a great number of years. However, this arrangement proved to be an unfortunate one, as Sam was often subjected to her strange conduct, and she did not treat him well. Sam recently moved in with his dad, Ms Barb’s son. However, he does not care for him, nor does he show him any love and affection.

Ms Barb says that this has caused her to lose all her respect for her son,  however, she doesn’t want to cut ties with him.

So, is there and end in sight for Sam? Ms Barb wants to bring him to Singapore, but she cannot do so as Sam’s mom refuses to let him get a passport. In addition, he is unable to call the child helpline as he does not have a phone. This brings to light the inadequate system that is Australian Children and Family law. There are numerous obstacles to overcome when trying to take custody away from a mother, no matter who she is and how she is. Ms Barb’s lawyer had told her it would be extremely unlikely for her to gain the custody of Sam. He can now only obtain a passport when he turns eighteen. Therefore, “Get through it, Sam, until you can get out of it.”

This is an ongoing struggle that both Sam and the grandparents who love him face on a daily basis. However, as Ms Barb mentioned, he is assuredly not the only child coping with neglect and parental abuse. The law has to change by addressing the current circumstances of young children today, better catered toward what they need, now.