When couples in Ohio who have kids divorce, the effects often bring about changes to their relationships that ultimately damage the family dynamic. Change is an unavoidable aspect that affects everyone’s relationship with each other. If you are going through a legal separation and want to minimize its effects on your kids, it is important for you to not interfere with their relationship with the other parent.
Parental alienation syndrome (PAS) is a dirty tactic some parents use to get the upper hand in child custody and visitation negotiations. Some of them think that by manipulating their kids’ emotions and actions, they can destroy the other parent’s relationship with them. As beneficial as this may seem, it can have extremely damaging and long-reaching effects on the victims.
Signs of parental alienation
It is important for you not to confuse signs of parental alienation with your kids simply acting out because of the divorce. You should also be wary of assuming their other parent is doing things to encourage your children to become emotionally withdrawn or combative. Common signs of parental alienation include:
- Children suddenly refuse to interact or see their other parent.
- Kids lash out against other their parent for absurd reasons.
- Children develop hardened emotions about their other parent.
- Kids always choose the same parent’s side in arguments and other situations.
- Kids mimic negative and commonly used phrases and actions their manipulating parent uses.
It is not uncommon for one or both parents to resort to using mildly manipulative tactics to gain the advantage in their child custody/parenting time arrangements, especially if their separation is a hostile one.
Parental alienation deprives children of the love and support they should have from both parents. The bond between them and the manipulative parent becomes toxic, while the bond between them and the affected parent becomes compromised. It teaches them to become manipulative and uncaring. They may also become depressed and develop disorders that affect their behaviors and other aspects of their lives as they grow older. It also often causes the affected parent to suffer, develop addictive disorders and change the way they interact with their kids.
If you suspect your partner is attempting to alienate your kids from you, get professional help right away. Take your kids to a therapist and inform the courts and your attorney so they can take your concerns into consideration when finalizing your child custody and parenting time arrangement.
