I spent 20 years trying to invite them to visit, go out and do things, come over for dinner...
My wife at the time spent hours making a very nice dinner for them at our home. They never showed up and never apologized.
I wasn’t judgmental. We took it in stride.
One day after having seen my grandson about five times in seven years, I said to myself, enough is enough.
I’ve never looked back.
That’s a very sad situation for all involved, and I am sorry to hear it.
My comments were not directed at your personally. Having gone through a nasty divorce/contested custody, I can say that it was worth fighting for joint custody, and insisting that the Decree be enforced virtually to the letter. My Decree (and I am sure most others) include restrictions on Mom/Dad, or their agents, talking negatively about the other parent & family. These are most likely hard to enforce except in the most egregious of circumstances. So maintaining a close, meaningful relationship with one’s children from a young age, and while the opportunity presents itself, is critical.
I think too many men take the position that Mom is going to win anyway, and she is going to leave anyway, so why fight it? But this is a potential disaster for the child.