How do you know if you’re the victim of parental alienation?

How do you know if you’re the victim of parental alienation?

On behalf of Johnson, Sclafani & Moriarty, Attorneys at Law posted in Child Custody on Thursday, November 2, 2017.

"Parental alienation" is a term that many people are unfamiliar with until it happens to them. Even then, they may not realize what is occurring.

Parental alienation is when one parent turns a child against the other one by giving the child false information to make it seem as though the other parent doesn't care about the child or is unfit to take care of him or her.
Parents who are the victims of parental alienation, particularly if the co-parents aren't outwardly prohibiting them from seeing their children, may think that their kids don't want to see them or are hostile towards them because they're upset about the divorce or are simply going through a phase. So how do you know if you're a victim of parental alienation?

One woman who founded a group to help such parents after losing contact with her own children provides a helpful list of questions to ask themselves to determine whether their co-parent is fostering alienation in their children. For example, does he or she:

  • Interrupt your time with your kids with excessive texts, phone calls or visits?
  • Let your children decide whether or not they want to see you?
  • Ask your children to act as messengers between you or get information to bring back?
  • Not keep you informed of important events or issues in your child's life?
  • Prevent your child from getting messages or gifts from you?
  • Speak badly or lie about you to your children?
  • Act betrayed or hurt if your child expresses positive feelings about you?

Some of these things, of course, you may not be aware of. They may occur when you aren't around. However, if you know or even suspect that they are occurring and that they are undermining your relationship with your child, it's essential to notify your Massachusetts defense attorney.

If a case goes to court, a judge may not be able to determine who is telling the truth. That's why it's essential to gather evidence, if possible, to effectively present your case so that you can begin to rebuild your relationship with your children.

Source: Erie News Now, "Is Your Ex Keeping You From Seeing Your Kids?," Brianna Carle, accessed Nov. 02, 2017