Parental alienation is a serious issue that affects many divorces. When one parent stands in the way of a healthy relationship between their child and their ex, serious psychological damage can result. Sometimes, parents don’t even realize they’re alienating their kids from the other parent. However, sometimes it’s done purposefully and with the intent to “win” the kids. If you suspect your kids are victims of parental alienation, tell your Raleigh divorce lawyer immediately – even if your divorce is final.
What is Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation is any behavior that can disrupt a parent/child relationship. Generally, friends and family will empathize with the alienated parent and agree that the kids may have been “brainwashed.”
Several things can disrupt a parent/child relationship, like when one parent or stepparent:
• interferes with the visitation rights of the other parent
• prevents the alienated parent from participating in the child’s life
• rejects gifts given to the child by the alienated parent
• speaks negatively about the alienated parent in front of the child
• lies to the child about the alienated parent
Your Raleigh divorce lawyer can provide you with more examples of parental alienation that he or she has encountered through years of experience.
How do Kids Act When They Are Alienated from One Parent?
Kids who are victims of parental alienation are confused, angry and hurt. If you are the alienated parent, it’s heartbreaking to see your child emotionally suffering.
“Parental alienation is a form of emotional abuse that damages the child’s self-esteem in the short run and is associated with lifelong damage,” according to Dr. Amy J.L. Baker, the Director of Research at the Vincent J. Fontana Center for Child Protection.
Victims of parental alienation may:
• feel the need to protect or support the alienating parent
• be cruel and verbally abusive toward the alienated parent
• feel no guilt for being cruel to the alienated parent
• provide feeble reasons for being angry with the alienated parent
• become angry with friends and family of the alienated parent
It’s important to let your Raleigh divorce lawyer know right away if you think your children are the victims of parental alienation, because it can do permanent damage to your relationship and permanent damage to your kids’ mental health.
Victimizing Kids during Divorce
Once you’ve told your Raleigh divorce lawyer that you suspect your kids are victims of parental alienation, he or she may attempt to prove it to the court. Your judge may consider your kids’ long-term well-being and change your custody and visitation arrangements, as well as order the other parent or stepparent to stop trying to destroy your relationship with the kids.
