Do you know the signs your ex is turning your child against you? This follow-up post explores a few more ways to spot parental alienation.
Parental alienation is a serious—and unfortunately, common—issue that many divorcing parents must overcome. In a post I wrote last year, I addressed some of the signs that your ex might be influencing your child’s feelings toward you and how it can affect your divorce and custody battle.
I feel it is such an important issue that I want to revisit it. Parental alienation can happen before, during, or long after your divorce, so it is critical for all parents to know the signs, even if you are not considering splitting with your spouse.
5 Signs Your Ex Is Turning Your Child Against You
- 1. You have limited time with your child.
- 2. Your child fears rejection by the alienating parent.
- 3. Your child makes excuses not to spend time with you.
- 4. Your relationship with your child has changed.
- 5. You witness your ex speaking poorly of you to or in front of your child.
Let’s look at these signs in more detail.
1. You have limited time with your child.
Whether you are still married or long-since divorced, if your spouse limits the time you get to spend with your child, you could be a victim of parental alienation. An alienating parent uses this tactic to isolate you, so you can have little influence on your child. They may also use the space they have created between you and your child as proof that you do not love them.
2. Your child fears rejection by the alienating parent.
You may notice that your child has become reserved in their affection toward you. One reason your child may do this is because of fear—fear that the other parent will reject or even punish them for showing you love.
3. Your child makes excuses not to spend time with you.
If you notice that your child has started to make excuses every time you are supposed to be together—whether during your allotted visitation time or when you have made special plans—it could be one of the signs your ex is turning your child against you. Your ex-spouse may have made them think less of you.
4. Your relationship with your child has changed.
Having a good relationship with your child is priceless. Sometimes, however, your child may become distant from you or even hostile toward you. Your ex-spouse may have tried to pin blame on you for the divorce.
5. You witness your ex speaking poorly of you to or in front of your child.
The goal of parental alienation is to manipulate the child to have a negative opinion of the other parent. The easiest way for your ex-spouse to accomplish this goal is to speak poorly of you, either directly to your child or in front of them. If you or another witness notices this, it could help your custody case.
How to Make Divorce Easier for Your Child
If you want to learn how to make your divorce easier on your child, watch my video below.
Have you noticed any signs your ex is turning your child against you? It’s time to defend yourself.
Don’t wait to get in touch with me if you have noticed the signs of parental alienation in your child. I will help you navigate this difficult issue.
About the Author: Helena Y. Farber is an attorney in Aventura, Florida, whose practice is concentrated in the areas of divorce and family law. She can be reached at (305) 520-9205 or via email at hyf@farberlawpa.com.
Disclaimer: The attorney makes this Blog available for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.