This study examined how parents' gender and grandparent status were related to their reactions to their children's marital dissolutions at two and four years after the initial marital separation. Fathers were just as reactive as mothers to the situation initially, and over time. Although generally similar to nongrandparents, grandparents reported increased feelings of responsibility and embarrassment over time. About half of the parents reported increased reactions of loss, surprise, and feeling upset. Older parents were initially more bitter, and became more upset over time. Implications for future research, as well as family interventions, are discussed.