You hoped for a favorable outcome for your children when you and your former spouse divorced. Lately, you noticed a rift forming between you and your kids. Perhaps you suspect the other parent wants to turn your children against you.
Psychology Today explains what it looks like when children do not have a valid reason for rejecting a parent, which could turn into parental alienation. Learn how to protect your relationship with your kids and your peace of mind.
Mirroring the other parent’s language
You may notice your shared children using your former partner’s phrases or language when talking about your personality, behavior or parenting style. Your ex could attempt to poison your kids’ minds to see you as incompetent or a terrible parent.
Classifying one parent as “good” and the other as “bad”
Sometimes, shared children classify one parent as “bad” and the other as “good.” This could be because one household has fewer rules and more leniency. Alternatively, the other parent may use language around your kids that paints you as a terrible caregiver without allowing for nuance.
Failing to offer rational reasons for their opinions
When asked for specifics about why she or he dislikes going over one parent’s house, a child could scramble to find a valid reason. Similar signs of potential parental alienation are when kids give answers that make little sense or suddenly raise concerns or complaints about issues that did not exist before.
Kids deserve to continue having a connection with both their parents after a divorce. Parents who engage in parental alienation only harm their children and their relationship.