Parental Estrangement Versus Alienation

Parents often worry that divorce will drive a wedge between themselves and their children. A carefully crafted parenting plan, and diligence by both parents, can help prevent this from happening. However, sometimes one or both parties act in a way that does create distance between parent and child. It is important to note that there are two distinct concepts in this situation; alienation and estrangement. A trusted Saint Louis family law attorney can review your situation and provide you with knowledgeable advice.

To begin, it is important to define the two terms. While both result in fracturing the parent-child bond, they differ in the source of the damage. Alienation is brought upon by the other parent. Their actions and words creating an environment where the children do not wish to associate with you. This can come in the form of speaking poorly of you at the dinner table, blaming you for the loss of activities, or accusing you of causing the divorce in the first place. Estrangement, on the other hand, is caused by the estranged parent. Being inattentive to their child, lashing out at the child’s other parent, refusing to pay child support, and not using custody time well all lead to estrangement.

Consult a trusted Saint Louis family law attorney if you feel you are facing alienation, or your partner is becoming estranged from your children. An attorney can review your case, and help you know how to proceed in the best interests of your children.