Being the victim of parental alienation is a distressing and delicate situation to navigate. If you suspect parental alienation is occurring, it’s imperative to intervene early to safeguard your relationship with your child. Please continue reading to learn the legal options you can pursue and why connecting with our dedicated Bristol County Child Custody Lawyers is in your best interest.
What is Parental Alienation?
Parental alienation is the term used to describe the process in which one parent intentionally or unintentionally influences their child to reject, fear, or distance themselves from the other parent. This behavior can result in significant harm to the child and strain or sever relationships with the ostracized parent. This psychological manipulation is considered emotional child abuse. Therefore, if you suspect parental alienation, you can take legal action to ensure your child’s overall well-being.
What Should I Do if I’m the Victim?
If you suspect that you are being alienated by the other parent, it’s important to leverage the support of friends, family, and mental health professionals who can help you cope with the emotional impact and develop strategies to maintain a positive relationship with your child despite the challenges. It’s important to be patient with your child and remember they are being manipulated by someone they trust. As such, you should try to create a safe environment for your child so they feel comfortable opening up to you. Parental alienation can have a devastating impact on a child, leading to emotional distress, anxiety, depression, lack of trust, self-esteem, and identity issues. Repairing a relationship with a child who has been alienated can take time and requires consistent effort.
If possible, you should try to maintain effective communication with the other parent, focusing on your child’s well-being rather than past grievances. You should calmly address alienating behaviors you have noticed. If your efforts fail, you should consult a seasoned family law attorney to discuss your legal options and potential remedies, such as modifying an existing custody arrangement and limiting the alienating parent’s time with the child. Keep a detailed record of every instance in which the other parent actively alienates your child, including dates, reasons you were banned from seeing your child, specific comments made, and any other evidence you have to support your claim.
As you can see, parental alienation can have a devastating impact on a child. At The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley, P.C., we are prepared to help you determine the best course of action given the unique circumstances of your situation to preserve your relationship with your child. Connect with our legal team today to discuss your case with a qualified lawyer.
