Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Child Custody, Divorce, Parental Alienation Syndrome, Visitation and Access
Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is the deliberate attempt by a parent to destroy the relationship between their children and the other parent. The alienating parent’s goal is to destroy the children’s bond with the other parent and establish themself as “the best parent.”
Parental Alienation Syndrome does not occur over night. It is a systematic process which ultimately results in the destruction of a child’s relationship with the other parent. Parental Alienation Syndrome is frequently observed in hotly contested child custody cases and it is important that parents and attorneys are vigilant as to the symptoms of PAS. Some of the signs of PAS include:
- Negative statements about the other parent in front of the child or children. A parent who is exhibiting behaviors symptomatic of PAS will do their best to put the other parent in a negative light by making negative comments about the other in front of the children. This behavior results in the children mimicking the sentiments of the alienating parent.
- Involving the children in the pending litigation puts parental alienation syndrome in court. A divorce or custody battle is a matter between two adults. Children should not be privy to the details of a battle between their parents and a parent who willfully exposes a child to such details is often attempting to tarnish the child’s relationship with their other parent.
- Refusal to Co-Parent. Co-parenting is an integral part of raising a child and a parent who refuses to co-parent is often not concerned with the best interest of the child, but only destroying the bond.
A divorce or custody battle is already emotionally trying time for a child. A parent who inflicts the above behaviors is inflicting parental alienation syndrome, which will only increase the turmoil that a child goes through. If you believe that the other parent is exhibiting signs of parental alienation, please contact the Ramos Law Group, PLLC.
Recommended Resources:
- Understanding, Preventing, and Overcoming Parental Alienation™
We recommend that both parents learn about parental alienation syndrome as there are several levels and for the most part we are all guilty of PAS of some form. At our firm, we recommend that clients watch the “Welcome Back, Pluto” video by Dr . Richard A. Warshak which helps parents understand, prevent and overcome parental alienation (Warshak, Welcome Back Pluto).
Chapter Titles:
- What is alienation?
- Understanding alienated children
- Mistakes favored parents make
- What’s in a name?
- Understanding favored parents.
- The plight of rejected parents.
- Tips for parents
- Tips for kids
Divorce Poison – Signs of Parental Alienation Syndrome
- How to Protect Your Family from Bad-mouthing and Brainwashing
He is also the author of “Divorce Poison” which is another guide to help a parents prevent and overcome parental alienation. If your spouse is bad-mouthing you to your children it is critical that you choose the correct approach in addressing the issue. Handling the issue poorly could lead to losing your children’s respect and affection (Warshak, Divorce Poison).
This title offers specific advice to protect children from Parental Alienation Syndrome. In it, you will learn (Warshak, Divorce Poison):
- How to respond when your children join forces with your ex
- How to react if your children refuse to see you
- How to answer rude and hateful behavior
- How to insulate children from the harmful effects of bad-mouthing
- How to identify and correct your own contributions to parent-child conflicts
- How to defend against false accusations of brainwashing
- How to choose the best therapist and lawyer
- How reconcile with children after years of estrangement
Works Cited
Warshak, Richard A., Dr. “Divorce Poison: How to Protect Your Family from Bad-mouthing and Brainwashing.” Divorce Poison. Dr. Warshak, n.d. Web. 30 May 2013.
Warshak, Richard A., DR. “Welcome Back, Pluto Understanding, Preventing, and Overcoming Parental Alienation™.” Welcome Back, Pluto. Dr. Warshak, n.d. Web. 30 May 2013.
Last Updated on June 28, 2018 by Mary E. Ramos
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