The Importance of the Child-Parent Relationship
One of the dangers of divorce and separation to children is parental alienation. Parental alienation happens when one parent does or says things to turn the child against the other parent. The parent may or may not do this intentionally. Nevertheless, it can make a child side with one parent more than the other. Eventually, this can result in a child being resentful of or hostile toward one parent.
Parental Alienation and Divorce
During a divorce, a child needs positive support from both parents. Unfortunately, some parents will speak disparagingly about the other parent in an attempt to win the affection of the child. As a result, the parent-child relationship suffers. In severe cases, the child may refuse to see the other parent. And, in the midst of a custody battle, this can affect the outcome of the case in a way that isn’t beneficial to the child.
Parents can create parental alienation between the child and parent by any number of actions, such as:
- Making disparaging remarks about the other parent in front of the child
- Being dishonest about the actions and feelings of the other parent
- Sharing the reason for the breakup with the child in an inappropriate way
- Blaming the other parent
- Interfering with the relationship between the child and the other parent
- Making the child believe the other parent does not love him or her
Protecting Your Child’s Emotional Health
A child’s rejection of one parent should be cause for concern. It could be a sign of parental alienation, but it can also be an indicator the child needs an advocate for their mental health. You should never ignore signs of parental alienation. It is a serious condition that can impact your child for years to come. Many children struggle when coping with divorce. This can result in problem behavior or conditions such as parental alienation. It’s important to identify these problems early on so you can get your child the help they need and put guidelines in place to ensure your child’s emotional health is protected. If you have a custody case that may involve parental alienation, you should speak with an attorney. You may need to make a custody modification, and an attorney can help you with this.
Are you concerned about parental alienation? Williams Law Group, LLC is here to help you make the best decisions regarding custody for you and your family. Located in Union, New Jersey, Williams Law Group, LLC provides compassionate and dedicated legal services to Union, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties, and the surrounding areas. Our knowledgeable attorneys handle divorce and family law, child custody, and child abuse/neglect cases. Call our office at (908) 810-1083, email us at info@awilliamslawgroup.com, or contact us through our confidential online form to schedule a consultation and ultimately get you connected with an experienced New Jersey divorce and child custody attorney.