In this article
It’s horrible to think that your child is being coerced or manipulated to turn against you. This situation is known as parental alienation, and unfortunately, it’s an all too common occurrence. However, if you’re a victim of parental alienation, don’t worry. There are options available. In this article, our child law solicitors outline what you need to know.
For more information, please visit our child law page. Furthermore, if you want to contact a solicitor today, please call us directly on 020 3007 5500.
What is parental alienation?
In simple terms, parental alienation is when one parent attempts to manipulate their child to have a poorer view of the other parent. As a result, the manipulating parent is psychologically damaging their child to prefer them over the other parent.
Common examples of parental alienation include:
- Not being mindful when talking badly or lying about the other parent when the child is present.
- Making derogatory remarks regarding the other parent to the children.
- Blocking direct or indirect contact with the other parent.
- Convincing the children that the other parent does not love them or does not want to see them.
- Undermining the authority of the other parent.
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Examples of parental alienation.
Listed below are some examples of parental alienation:
Example 1
A mother wants to obtain a child arrangement order. The children live with the father due to the mother having trouble with alcohol. However, the mother still wrote letters to her children, which the father decided not to pass on. In this circumstance, it’s parental alienation because the father restricts contact between the mother and her children.
Example 2
A father and mother are planning a holiday. The mother comments on the father not wanting the children to come on the trip in front of them. In this circumstance, this is parental alienation, regardless of whether the statement is true or not.
How do I prevent parental alienation?
If you’re concerned that you may become a victim of parental alienation, don’t worry. There are things you can do. Some recommended things you can do to prevent parental alienation include:
- Recording behaviour. There are two benefits of recording behaviour. Firstly it can help you identify whether your child’s behaviour is getting worse over time. Secondly, suppose you were to make an application in the future for a child arrangements order. In that case, it’s helpful to have a record of the dates for any notable incidents as supporting evidence.
- Find alone time with your child. Finding time to be with your child one to one is important, whether that’s finding time to play a game or finding some time to talk with your child. Providing a safe and relaxed space for you and your child can counter parental alienation.
- Be patient. Although it’s easier said than done, it’s beneficial to let your children come to you, and when they do, make sure you show them love, support and compassion.
- Seek expert advice. Contacting a counsellor or a therapist can help you identify parental alienation and provide practical advice, support and techniques to help prevent it from arising.
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How do I deal with parental alienation?
If you’re a victim of parental alienation, you need to act fast. Acting fast will prevent further psychological harm to your child and restore your relationship with them. Therefore, if the alienating parent is preventing you from having contact with your child or involving you in making decisions over your child’s upbringing, you must take the following steps:
- Arrange an informal discussion with the alienating parent and attempt to come to a suitable arrangement.
- If the parents can’t agree, the next stage will be to seek mediation services. Mediation is where a neutral third party assists both parents to come to a reasonable agreement.
- Seeking legal advice. If mediation fails, the final stage is to instruct a solicitor to apply for a child arrangement order. This order will enforce your ability to contact your child and make decisions such as where your child goes to school and what medical treatment they receive.
Remember...
Informal child arrangements aren’t legally binding. Therefore, if your partner was to break the agreement, there won’t be any legal enforcement.
What if the alienating parent breaks the conditions of a child arrangement order?
In a circumstance where a parent breaks a child arrangement order, there are several punishments, which include:
- Unpaid community work.
- Fines.
- Prison sentence.
- Change of residence to allow the child to live with the alienated parent.
The punishment applicable depends on the severity of the breach of the child arrangement order.
How can Britton and Time Solicitors help?
Suppose you’re looking to report parental alienation. In that case, you will need to arrange an untimed initial consultation with one of our child law solicitors.
In the initial consultation, our solicitors guarantee:
- Unlimited time to discuss your situation and ask any questions you may have.
- A clear outline of your legal standpoint and available options.
- Upfront time and fee estimate for your case.
To contact our solicitors to arrange your untimed consultation, please call us on 020 3007 5500. If you are concerned about the safety of you or your child, call the police immediately on 999. However, in a circumstance where you’re not at immediate risk, visit the police website or report the incident by calling 101.
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