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Is your ex-spouse hurting your relationship with your children?

On Behalf of | Aug 1, 2024 | Family Law |

One of the hardest parts of a divorce is the separation from your children. Even if you and your ex-spouse share physical custody, any time spent apart causes an emotional ache.

The situation becomes even more challenging when your spouse is actively trying to turn your children against you.

The signs of parental alienation

Parental alienation occurs when one parent influences their child to reject or become distant from the other parent. This can happen through subtle comments, negative remarks or actions undermining the other parent’s authority. Not only does this negatively impact the relationship between the child and the alienated parent, it can also have long-term effects on the child’s well-being, such as:

  • Emotional instability
  • Inability to form healthy relationships
  • Poor academic performance
  • Mental health disorders

Recognizing the signs of parental alienation can help in addressing the issue before it becomes an ingrained behavior. Some common indicators include:

  • Your child starts acting unusually cold, distant or hostile towards your without any apparent reason
  • They begin to criticize you based on things that are untrue or seem out of character
  • They are suddenly reluctant to spend time with you
  • They repeat negative statements about you that they likely heard from your ex-spouse

Once you notice the signs, you can take steps to mitigate the impact:

  • Encourage your child to express their feelings and listen without judgment
  • Focus on maintaining a positive and supportive environment and avoid speaking negatively about your ex-spouse
  • Document troubling incidents if legal intervention becomes necessary

Kentucky’s family courts prefer parents to have joint custody and will have a negative view of a parent who is attempting to pit their children against their other parent. They recognize the harm caused by parental alienation and can intervene to protect the child’s best interests. This may involve modifying custody arrangements. Therefore, you will want to speak with someone who can advocate on your behalf so you can maintain a healthy, loving bond with your children.