“I HATE YOU…I LOVE (Mommy/Daddy) AND NOT YOU…. I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!”
Parental alienation are intended actions and/or behavior of a parent or guardian that serves the purpose of interfering and/or destroying the relationship between the other parent and child. These behaviors and actions have a lasting long term effect that is severely damaging to a child’s mental and emotional development and well-being. These behaviors most often accompany high conflict divorces, and/or custody cases. Whether verbal or non-verbal, the behavior cause a child to be mentally manipulated or bullied into believing a loving parent is the cause of all their problems, and/or the enemy, to be feared, hated, disrespected and/or avoided. Symptoms, such as lack of empathy and warmth, between the rejected parent and child are some indicators.
Direct alienation occurs when one parent actively sabotage the other parent, such as making derogatory statements about the other parent, telling the child that the other parent is responsible for the divorce, or telling the child that the other parent is the cause of financial problems. Indirect alienation occurs when one parent fails to support access or contact with the other parent or tacitly accepts the child’s negative behavior and comments towards the other parent.
There is nothing worse as a parent to look into your young child’s eyes and see the confusion, anger and emptiness! It is hard not to feel helpless, while at the same time engage the alienating parent in a war! However, the alienated parent’s timely appropriate response to this behavior is essential to preserving the relationship with the child.
It is a matter of perseverance, patience and the right strategy that provides any chance and hope of prevailing against this self serving evil undertaking. This is not a battle that one pursues on their own but rather requires the engagement of the right mental health specialists, attorney and counselors to diagnose and develop a means in which to identify, counteract, and present before an already overwhelmed and understaffed judiciary……stay tuned!
