When filing a divorce petition in a California court, the well-being of any children affected is no doubt at the forefront of a parent’s thoughts. If the relationship between spouses is contentious, a parent might worry that his or her ex will be uncooperative.
One way an angry spouse might take revenge is through parental alienation, which means trying to turn kids against their other parent.
Is an ex lying about a co-parent to children?
Children have a tendency to internalize their parents’ circumstances. Hearing over and over again from one parent that the other parent does not love them can cause immediate and lasting emotional trauma.
Lies told to children may cause them to distrust one of their parents. This is often a primary goal in a parental alienation scheme. When a child doesn’t trust an adult, he or she typically does not want to spend time with that person, even if the person in question is one of the child’s parents.
Has your child’s demeanor toward you change?
If a son or daughter is angry or defensive when a parent tries to have a conversation or discuss an important topic, it might be due to the other parent’s efforts to turn the child against him or her. It is a matter worth investigating further.
All children and parents disagree at times or experience challenges in their relationship. However, when a child who used to get along well with a parent suddenly wants nothing to do with him or her, there might be an underlying reason.
Are your kids being denied access to a parent?
When a former spouse is carrying out a parental alienation scheme, this is a common tactic. An ex might deny kids access to their other parent or lie to them, saying that he or she does not want to be in contact with them. A concerned parent should never hesitate to further investigate suspected parental alienation. A child’s well-being may depend on the alienated parent’s willingness to reach out for support.