The concept of parental alienation was first introduced in 1985 by Dr. Richard Gardner introduced. Parental alienation occurs primarily in a high-conflict divorce wherein the kid identifies strongly with one parent, normally the custodial parent. The other parent is hated and rejected for no legitimate reason, akin to abuse.
This alienation is led to by the alienating parent, who often pressures the kid to just accept their hatred of the opposite parent. The alienating parent programs the kid to despise their other parent by criticizing the alienated parent and interfering of their relationship.
While the alienated parent obviously suffers from this case, the kid also suffers. The child experiences the lack of their alienated parent just like the premature death of a parent. The child can also be prone to feel neglected and indignant. They may tackle characteristics of the alienating parent, akin to: B. Lack of empathy and rigid pondering.
Parental alienation could be classified in keeping with its severity, from mild to severe. Treatment relies on the symptoms and severity.
Light
Mild parental alienation is characterised by a baby resisting visits from the alienated parent but having fun with spending time with them when alone.
Moderate
A toddler with moderate parental alienation strongly resists any contact with the alienated parent and maintains resentment and resistance during time with the alienated parent.
Difficult
In cases of severe parental alienation, the kid may not only strongly reject any contact with the alienated parent, but may run away or hide to avoid visiting the alienated parent.
If you might be concerned that your child could also be experiencing parental alienation, you must look out for the next signs:
Unjustified criticism
No parent is ideal, some may even lose their temper and even yell at their children, and all children get mad at their parents sometimes. However, children with parental alienation will criticize you harshly and without reason.
They rarely if ever have anything good to say about you. If they're having fun with you, they could ask you to maintain it from their other parent.
Unwavering support for the alienating parent
No matter how much he criticizes you, your child will vigorously defend his other parent. They have extreme “black and white” pondering. Everything you do is bad, and every little thing the opposite parent does is nice. They will deny that the alienating parent influenced them and claim their feelings are entirely their very own.
No guilt
While most kids who grow to be indignant and say hurtful things to their parents later feel compassion and apologize, children with parental alienation don't feel guilt about their mistreatment.
You feel justified in your hatred and should even extend it to your entire family. Your criticism and harshness may affect your parents and siblings.
Treatment for parental alienation relies on the severity of the condition. If your child's case is mild, it could be enough for a judge to order the alienating parent to stop speaking badly about you in front of your child and to follow the parenting plan.
You may profit from a parenting coordinator, akin to a parenting course, to make it easier to and your ex communicate higher and support your child's relationships with one another.
In moderate cases of parental alienation, a parenting coordinator or counselor can work with you and your child's other parent to enhance communication. It could also be helpful for all of you to also seek individual advice. However, this approach only works if the alienating parent is committed to fixing the issue.
In severe cases or in moderate cases with an uncooperative parent, it could be vital to remove the kid from the alienating parent's custody. Parental alienation is a style of abuse and sometimes must be treated like other cases of abuse by removing the kid from the situation.
In this case, the kid could be placed with you and the opposite parent receives not less than temporary supervised visitation.
It is vital to acknowledge parental alienation in its early stages because treating the more severe stages can do more harm than good. If the reunification is forced and the kid perceives it as punishment, it could result in everlasting damage. Children who're taken away from the alienating parent may feel more helpless and experience further trauma.
If you suspect your child is experiencing parental alienation, seek skilled help. Start with a therapist who understands parental alienation and might work with you to formulate a plan to assist your child.