Under ideal circumstances, parents would form a united front when it comes to raising a child after divorce. And while many divorced couples can work together amicably to care for their child, others have a more challenging time.
Take parental alienation, for instance, which is a factor in many divorces. Understanding this serious issue is the first step to dealing with it, which is integral to maintaining a healthy, loving relationship with your child.
What is parental alienation?
Parental alienation affects divorced spouses and the child they share. One parent will influence the child to dislike or even hate the other parent without due cause. The alienating parent may also get in the way of their former spouse’s relationship with the child.
Parental alienation ranges from mild to severe. With mild cases, a child may express hesitation regarding the alienated parent but will resume a normal relationship when they are together. When the issue is moderate, the child will try to avoid the alienated parent and maintain their hostile nature even in their presence. When parental alienation is severe, the child may outright refuse to spend time with the other parent.
How can you help your child?
Keep in mind that parental alienation harms children as much as it does adults. To remedy the issue, the judge responsible for your custody case may request that you and your ex attend a parenting class. The goal of these classes is to enhance communication and find common ground when it comes to child-rearing.
If the issue is more severe, your child may require counseling. The judge can also decide to revoke custody of the alienating parent if they fail to cooperate with your parenting plan. In this case, you will most likely receive full custody, while the other parent will receive visitation.
