After a divorce, your family dynamic naturally changes. Unfortunately, for some families, the dynamic becomes more strained. Children may express anger towards their parents or show behavioral problems because of the change. Negative emotions are natural. However, some parents do try to turn their children against their exes.
According to WebMD, parental alienation most often occurs in divorces with a high conflict.
Is your ex alienating you?
Accusing a parent of parental alienation can turn serious. If you worry about being alienated, oversee your children’s behavior. Children may become angry and resentful towards you for no reason. Sometimes the other parent will share harmful information to cause resentment between you.
If the other parent wants to hoard all of your children’s time and if your children only have support for them and none for you, this may be because of alienation. Children will defend the alienator without any feelings of guilt. Their other parent gives them justification for behaving the way they do.
Can you help your child following parental alienation?
Even if you involve the court, you may worry about the future of your relationship with your children. In cases of severe parental alienation, you have a lot of work ahead of you. You may need to attend counseling with your kids to improve your relationship and communication methods. In extreme cases, you may have to entirely remove your children from your ex. Parental alienation is a form of child abuse.
Dealing with severe cases may require extra help because children may see removal as punishment. Catching the signs early benefits parents and children.
