During a custody situation, there are many tactics that the other parent may use against you. One common approach is parental alienation.
Psychology Today explains parental alienation is when one parent manipulates the child so that he or she does not want to have a relationship with the other parent.
Effects on child
Parental alienation can change the way a child feels. If it happens when he or she is very young, it can do serious damage to the relationship with the alienated parent. The child will likely grow up believing the custodial parent about everything, even if the parent is lying.
The tactic also can cause the child emotional issues and lead to behavioral or other problems. The child may grow up confused or grieving the loss of the relationship with the other parent.
How it happens
Parental alienation can happen gradually. It often begins with small things, such as not letting you see your child or trying to control how long you spend with your child. The other parent may speak badly about you to your child or begin making up stories about things that never happened. You will slowly feel as if the other parent is pushing you away, and you may notice a change in how your child acts towards you.
Why it happens
Usually, the parent who is trying to push the other parent away wants to have control or is afraid of sharing the child. It comes down to a problem with that parent, and there is nothing you or the child did to cause it.
