Counteract Parental Alienation with TalkingParents
How TalkingParents can be used to combat parental alienation.
- 2.5 min read
- custody
- family law
Parental alienation can be very damaging to the relationship between a child and parent, and it usually occurs with high-conflict divorce or separation cases. Parental alienation is when a child rejects, resists contact, or shows extreme reluctance to be with a parent due to the alienating behavior of the other parent. This might be done intentionally or unintentionally, but either way, it can have long-term negative impacts on your children.
Effects of parental alienation on kids
13.4% of parents report being alienated from at least one child. An alienated child can experience severe side effects such as:
- Low self-esteem
- Self-hatred
- Lack of trust
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- Other forms of addiction
Many experts consider parental alienation a form of emotional child abuse, as children have an innate desire to have a relationship with both parents. Research shows that kids who are able to have a secure, close relationship with both parents are typically better off emotionally, physically, academically, and socially.
How co-parents can combat parental alienation
If you are in a high-conflict situation with your co-parent, using a co-parenting communication service like TalkingParents is key. You can use our service to help deal with parental alienation in the following ways:
1. Attempt to make contact in a secure, documented fashion
All communications within TalkingParents are organized and documented, making it easy to keep track of attempts to contact your co-parent about child related matters. You can send messages that cannot be edited or deleted, and make calls complete with call recordings and transcripts. Secure Messaging and Accountable Calling can be used without sharing any personal information, including your phone number and email address.
It’s important to utilize these tools in a reasonable and respectful way. If your child is being alienated from you, messages and calls should only be used to document appropriate attempts at reunification. You should follow all rules and guidelines outlined in your custody agreement or parenting plan.
2. Take private notes about important interactions or behaviors
TalkingParents offers the Personal Journal feature, which allows parents to take notes about any interactions or behaviors they want recorded. Whether it's in-person discussions with your co-parent or child behavior observances, journal entries are private and can include up to five attachments.
As an adult dealing with parental alienation, the Personal Journal can be a great place to keep notes about the following:
- Signs of parental alienation syndrome in your child
- Notable actions or discussions with your co-parent regarding the alienation
- Your thoughts, feelings, and emotions regarding the alienation
Though you can keep all notes private in the Personal Journal, you are able to share them with whomever you wish, including your attorney.
3. Prove parental alienation in court
Used by court professionals and admissible in courtrooms across the country, every action taken within TalkingParents is in your Unalterable Records. Each Record includes a Digital Signature and unique 16-digit Authentication Code that verifies the Record is genuine and has not been modified in any way.
Unalterable Records can be requested in PDF format or print. You can get Records of all communications between you and your co-parent within TalkingParents, as well as any notes made in your Personal Journal. Should you end up in court over parental alienation, our Records can serve as the crucial evidence you and your attorney need to fight your case.