When parents go through a divorce or separation it can be a traumatic time for everyone. Although parents love their children, they can get into terrible arguments that affect the kids. Sometimes a parent may feel undermined and in danger of losing their parent-child bond. This can be a sign of parental alienation syndrome.
What is parental alienation syndrome?
Parental alienation is where one parent uses strategies to distance a child from another parent. Parental alienation syndrome is where the child shows negative behaviors when with the alienated parent and have difficulty with custody transitions. There are symptoms a child may have:
- The child unfairly criticizes the alienated parent.
- The child does not have any strong evidence or examples for the criticism.
- The child’s feelings about the alienated parent are all negative.
- The child claims the criticisms are their own conclusions and based on their own experiences even though they have been “programmed” by the other parent.
- The child has unwavering support for the alienator parent.
- The child doesn’t feel guilty about hating the alienated parent.
- The child uses adult terms and language when referring to events that never happened.
- The child’s feelings of hatred to their parent expand to the parent’s other family members including grandparents, brothers, uncles, aunts, etc.
Dealing with parental alienation
It can be heartbreaking for a parent to have their own child turn against them for no reason at all. An attorney who specializes in parental alienation can help fight this situation. They understand that parental alienation is child psychological abuse that requires competent legal representation. They will fight for their client and help them recover time with their children, go to court if necessary and help arrange therapy.
