If you and your ex-spouse are working on a parenting plan or going to court over the custody of your children, one issue that may come up is the possibility of parental alienation. Parental alienation is a process by which one parent psychologically manipulates a child into not wanting to see the other parent, showing hostility toward them or acting out against them.
Parental alienation is a real factor in many child custody cases, and it is damaging to children and parents alike. Oftentimes, it’s a parent who does not want their ex-spouse to be a part of their life or their children’s lives that will take steps to harm the relationship between the ex-spouse and their children.
What can you do if you suspect parental alienation?
Parental alienation is extremely harmful to children. It’s normally parents who are narcissistic who participate in this kind of behavior. Usually, there are other factors in the divorce that help show that the other party is not “playing fair.” Selfishness is typically obvious, so the more you can show the other parent’s unhealthy, selfish behaviors to the court, the stronger your case will be.
You should also keep any messages or emails about your children. For example, if your ex-spouse says they’re going to turn your children against you in a message, keep that information and give it to your attorney. Your attorney will start building a case against your ex-spouse, so it can be presented to the court in the hope of changing custody arrangements and taking your children out of a dangerous, manipulative household.