The alienating process develops over time and the distancing between the children and the targeted parent that occurs, includes some or all of the following features:
- The alienating parent speaks badly or demeans the targeted parent directly to the children – the disparaging comments made by the alienating parent to their children about the targeted parent can be implicit ("I am not sure I will be able to afford to send you to camp because "Mom" or "Dad" does not realize how much you enjoy it") or explicit ("Mom/Dad" left us because he/she never cared enough about you to keep our family together").
- The alienating parent speaks badly or demeans the targeted parent to others in the presence (or within audible distance) of the children.
- The alienating parent discusses with the children the circumstances under which the marriage broke down and blames the targeted parent for its failure.
- The alienating parent exposes the children to the details of the parents' ongoing conflict, financial problems and legal proceedings.
- The alienating parent blames the targeted parent for changes in life style, any current hardships; his/her negative emotional state and inability to function as before and conveys this to the children.
- Allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children are often made.
- Alienated children come to know that in order to please the alienating parent, they must turn against the targeted parent.
PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME:
Reena Sommer, Ph.D.
- The alienating parent speaks badly or demeans the targeted parent to others in the presence (or within audible distance) of the children.
- The alienating parent discusses with the children the circumstances under which the marriage broke down and blames the targeted parent for its failure.
- The alienating parent exposes the children to the details of the parents' ongoing conflict, financial problems and legal proceedings.
- The alienating parent blames the targeted parent for changes in life style, any current hardships; his/her negative emotional state and inability to function as before and conveys this to the children.
- Allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children are often made.
- Alienated children come to know that in order to please the alienating parent, they must turn against the targeted parent.
PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME:
Reena Sommer, Ph.D.