Few divorced parents get along all the time. However, it can be a challenge for some single parents in Colorado to ever see eye to eye, especially when one parent does all he or she can to make the other one look bad. The problem can go as far as one parent trying to drive a wedge between the other one and the children.
When one parent tries to turn the children against the other parent, it is known as parental alienation syndrome, explains Psychology Today. This situation is sadly not uncommon for many single parents.
The alienating parent often uses numerous tactics to keep the children from having a relationship with the other parent, such as the following:
- Creating false scenarios or blowing things out of proportion to make the other parent look like the “bad” one
- Making the children choose sides
- Badmouthing the other parent to the children and other family members and friends
- Sabotaging the other parent’s right to have time with the children
Either parent can be the alienating one, but many marital and psychological experts say it is most often the mother who does this. The alienating parent can also be one who was emotionally abusive or mentally unstable during the marriage. Parental alienation syndrome often involves people who have narcissistic tendencies. Diagnosed narcissists tend to blame others for their problems, fail to take accountability and try to play the role of the victim.
Not surprisingly, parental alienation is not only heartbreaking for the parent who is being alienated, but it can also be devastating for the children. Children need a healthy, loving relationship with both parents. When one parent keeps the children from having a relationship with the other parent, the children can suffer emotionally and psychologically for years, if not their entire lives.
Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed