When you have children, the divorce process gets a lot more complex. This is especially true if there is resentment between you and your ex, in which case they might try to influence your child against you.
According to Healthline, parental alienation can have a very negative impact on the relationship between parent and child. The first step to addressing the issue is to identify it, so watch out for the following signs.
Your ex insists your child’s personal belongings remain at their home
With shared custody arrangements, it is natural for children to keep personal effects at both parents’ homes. However, an alienating parent might demand that your child only keeps personal belongings at their home. While the reasons may vary, many parents make these demands in order to exact control over the situation. They also hope their actions complicate the situation and make it more difficult for the other parent.
Your ex makes plans with your child during your visits
While even the best parenting plans require occasional tweaking, you and your ex should follow yours as much as possible. That means your ex should schedule activities with your child during their custody time, not yours. If it happens frequently, your ex could use the promise of fun excursions to disrupt the time you spend with your child.
Your ex withholds important information
Both parents usually have access to information regarding their children, such as academic records or medical information. This is especially true when both parents have legal custody of a child, which means they share in decision-making. Alienating parents also attempt to exert control by keeping this information under lock and key, which can harm the child if doing so prevents them from receiving care.
If your ex refuses to follow the court order defining your parenting plan, you can bring the matter up with the judge to determine whether there is a legal remedy. Counseling is also recommended for both you and your child, so you can develop a loving relationship in the future.