Obtaining a fair child custody arrangement is a top priority for most New York parents. After all, the quantity and quality of time you spend with your child can impact their well-being and dictate the dynamics of your relationship with them. But all of this can be jeopardized when the other parent engages in parental alienation.
What is parental alienation?
Parental alienation occurs when one parent engages in manipulation tactics meant to harm the relationship between the child and their other parent. There are several ways that parental alienation can occur, such as by telling your child lies about you, sharing embarrassing facts about your marriage, talking badly about you in the presence of your child, and restricting your access to your child.
Signs of parental alienation
Symptoms of parental alienation can manifest in several ways. These include:
- Your child unrelentingly and unfairly criticizing you and your family.
- Your child defending the other parent regardless of the information presented to them.
- Your child using language that is beyond their age to attack you.
- Your child lacking any sense of guilt or remorse when criticizing you.
- The other parent keeping you in the dark about your child’s medical, educational, and extracurricular developments.
- The other parent confiding in the child.
- The other parent restricting your access.
- The other parent forcing your child decide between the parents.
There are several other signs of parental alienation that may exist in your case. If something seems off, then take note of it so that you can use it your motion to modify child custody and visitation.
Bringing parental alienation to a stop
To stop parental alienation, you’re probably going to have to file a motion to modify custody or parenting time. And to succeed on this motion, you’ll need strong evidence that’s back up your claims.
Gather relevant records, including those pertaining to your child’s mental health, retain communications that you’ve had with your child and the other parent, and keep a journal of all instances that you think are indicative of parental alienation.