The decision to file for divorce in a Kentucky court is not something you’d take lightly. In fact, it might be one of the most solemn decisions you’ll ever make. Considering how it might affect your children is a top priority, one that all good parents take seriously.
Getting divorced doesn’t mean you wish to abdicate your responsibilities as a parent. In fact, many parents believe they’re doing what’s best for their children in choosing to move on in life without their spouse. If you encounter challenging child custody issues, however, it can make divorce proceedings stressful, especially if your ex is attempting to shut you out of your children‘s lives.
Watch for signs of parental alienation
Your relationship with your ex might be a bit contentious, but that doesn’t mean you both shouldn’t be willing to cooperate and compromise for the sake of your children. Your co-parent does not have the right to try to turn your kids against you, no matter what may have transpired between the two of you to prompt your divorce.
There are several concerning issues that might suggest your former spouse is systematically trying to alienate you from your children. If you notice such signs, you should not hesitate to reach out for additional support to put a halt to his or her scheme. Sadly, such situations often get a lot worse before they get better.
These issues are definite causes for concern
It is not uncommon for children to lash out if they’re struggling to process their emotions as they learn to cope with their parents’ divorce. However, if a child is falsely accusing you of things or relaying stories your ex has told him or her that are untrue, it might be a sign that your ex is trying to alienate you from your kids. If your kids don’t want to stay with you or even see you anymore, you may have a real problem on your hands.
A parent who is attempting to alienate a co-parent may tell children falsehoods, such as saying that the co-parent blames the kids for the divorce or that he or she filed for divorce to get away from the kids. If you are supposed to have custody at a certain time and date, and your ex keeps making excuses for why the children can‘t be there, he or she may be deliberately trying to keep them from you.
How to resolve a parental alienation problem
Children who are victims of a parental alienation scheme may need counseling or other specialized support to help them restore their relationship with the parent they thought had wronged them. Your kids might stop talking to you or might speak poorly of you to others. It can be emotionally upsetting for you and them.
The good news is that you don’t have to go it alone when trying to mend your relationship. Especially regarding legal issues that may arise, you can obtain support to help you investigate your suspicions and to seek the court’s intervention to resolve the problem.