In parental alienation, long-standing unresolved emotional issues, usually around real or perceived abandonment, drive the alienating parent. When divorce or separation, the ultimate adult abandonment, occurs, the alienating parent will do anything to keep the old fears away. The parent pulls the child into the adult conflict and the parent and child form a very unhealthy, co-dependent relationship that leaves little, if any, room for the targeted parent.

A parent’s lack of warmth and empathy have little to do with the child’s rejection of the targeted parent. Quite the contrary. The alienating parent brainwashes the child into beleiving the targeted parent is dangerous, unfeeling and selfish — or any one of a number of other negative impressions that lead the child to be afraid of, and reject, the parent. In addition, the alienating parent keeps the child angry over the separation or divorce. Anger is a wonderful coping mechanism and allows the child to dismiss and ignore all the targeted parent’s empathetic and loving attempts to be part of the child’s life.

Finally, both mothers and fathers are the targeted parent and the alienating parent in equal numbers.

For more information, and resources, on parental alienation you can visit http://www.afamilysheartbreak.com.

For more information, and resources, on parental alienation you can visit http://www.afamilysheartbreak.com.

Long-standing, unresolved emotional issues around a fear of abandonment drive the alienating parent. During divorce or separating the old fears return, and the parent pulls the child into the adult conflict in order to make him or herself feel better. The result is a very unhealthy, co-dependent relationship between the alienating parent and child that leaves little, if any, room for the targeted parent.

For more information, and resources, on parental alienation you can visit http://www.afamilysheartbreak.com.