Divorce Have You Feeling Alienated From Your Child? 4 Signs Parental Alienation May Be Involved

Custody issues are always difficult, especially when both parents want sole custody of the child. If you're involved in a custody battle, you want what is best for your child, even if you have harsh feelings towards the other parent. You want to be able to spend as much time as possible with your child. That can be next to impossible when parental alienation is involved.

If your child is suddenly showing a disdain for being with you, you might be the victim of parental alienation. Not sure what that is? Simply stated, parental alienation occurs when a child develops a sudden dislike for one parent. The alienation can be made worse when one parent undermines the relationship that the child has with the other parent. Here are a few signs you should be aware of.

Other Parent Denies You Access to Pertinent Information

You have the right to know pertinent information about your child. If the other parent is keeping school or medical records from you, or is refusing to share information about important events, you should discuss the issue with an attorney.

Child Has Activities Scheduled That Interfere With Visitation

It can be difficult to spend time with your child when the other parent has filled their schedule up with other activities. If your scheduled visitation days are being interrupted by additional activities, such as dance class and play dates, you may be the victim of parental alienation. This is particularly true if the additional activities begin interfering with all your scheduled visitation dates.

Other Parent Discusses Marital Problems with the Child

It's never okay to discuss marital problems with your children. If the other parent is discussing your shortcomings with your child, or is blaming all the marital problems on you, it can interfere with the relationship you have with your child.

Child Cannot Give Valid Reasons for Negative Feelings towards You

If your child suddenly avoids contact with you or expresses negative feelings towards you, it's important that you try to discuss those feelings with them. If they're unable to give valid reasons for those feelings, you might want to consider counseling for you and your child. Your attorney can help arrange those sessions for you. Children who are suffering from parental alienation syndrome often harbor negative feelings that they aren't able to explain.

Parental alienation syndrome is a serious issue that can destroy the relationship you have with your child. If any of the signs listed above seem familiar, sit down with your attorney as soon as possible. (For more information, contact Madison Law Firm PLLC or another firm)