How to Fight Back Against Parental Alienation: Part One

Parental alienation is a strategy recently considered a form of emotional abuse. If your child is pulling away from you and you suspect it’s because of their other parent, it’s hard to imagine that type of frustration: If the other person isn’t cooperating, then why should you?

But it’s not as simple as that. When it comes to your children, there should never be payback. Sometimes it’s hard to be the bigger person, but it’s never impossible. If you’ve ever wondered if you should fight back against suspected parental alienation, then you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into part one. 

Is It Worth Fighting Parental Alienation?

Parental alienation can happen in divorced, separated, mixed, or intact families, and can have long-lasting effects on children. What matters most is how you can protect your children from it.

For example, the parent causing alienation may use a variety of tactics to turn the child against the other parent, such as making false accusations of abuse or neglect, blaming the other parent for problems in the marriage, or punishing the child for wanting to have a relationship with the other parent.

Fighting parental alienation can be a difficult and very emotionally draining process. But it’s important to remember that parental alienation can have serious long-term consequences for children — including depression, anxiety, and difficulty forming healthy relationships later in life. 

Symptoms of Parental Alienation

Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s influencing your kids. It could be anyone; after all, they go to school, other homes, and maybe after-school sports practice or a club meeting. But most of the time, children are most perceptive to their parents. 

Here are a few tell-tale signs:

• Unexplained hatred toward the targeted parent 
• Rationalizations that don’t make any sense or sound repeated (especially if you recognize them from the favored parent) 
• Seeing a distinct “good” parent and “bad parent” and putting that favored parent on a pedestal 
• Denial that the favored parent influences their thoughts
• Generally negative behavior, like rudeness, spitefulness, and ungratefulness towards the targeted parent
• Has a hatred towards the targeted parent’s extended family as well

If you suspect that your child is being alienated from you, it is important to take action to protect your relationship with your child.

How Do Judges Feel About Parental Alienation?

Arkansas courts do not tolerate parental alienation and view it as a form of child abuse. In fact, Arkansas became the second state in the U.S. to pass a law for equal parenting time. It also became the first state to require clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption.

If you’re involved in a custody dispute and have reason to believe your child is being alienated from you, it’s always a good idea to document any instances of parental alienation and at the very least bring them to the attention of your attorney.

Contact Hickey & Hull Law Firm

If you’re dealing with parental alienation and need legal assistance, consider contacting Hickey & Hull Law Firm. We have in-depth experience and knowledge in family law — and experience dealing with cases involving parental alienation. 

Chat, fill out our online form, or contact us today to get a free consultation. Our River Valley office number is 479.434.2414, and our Northwest Arkansas number is 479.802.6560.