Last week I addressed the scourge of “parental alienation”, comparing it to a poisonous snake in the grass.
This week on the Roy Green Program, I had a second opportunity to speak on this subject, with another guest, psychologist Dr. Ellie Bolgar.
If you are a separated or divorced parent, and suspect that your child is being manipulated by the other parent to poison their relationship with you, there are 3 anti-toxin strategies that I recommend, as follows.
Firstly, just like an actual snake bite, time is of the essence to attempt to minimize the damage caused. Professional counselling for children is an absolute necessity, and should be arranged without delay, either by consent of the other party, or court order if necessary. Many parents have counselling as a benefit through their employment, so check with your employer to see if such counselling is available, and what qualifications of the counsellor, are required for coverage.
Secondly, as I wrote last week, fight like hell to maintain your parenting time. Even better, in circumstances where parental alienation is present, having more parenting time with your children will minimize the time and opportunity of the other parent to spread their poison.
Thirdly, and perhaps the biggest challenge of all to any parent, is to maintain a loving relationship with your child, despite their outward indifference, or outright hostility towards you. Don’t give up hope on your relationship with your children.
By implementing all, or some, of these anti-toxin strategies, I believe you are protecting the future of your most precious asset of all, your children.
If you don’t, you will regret it for the rest of your life, and so will they.
Call me for more information, Scott Taylor, 604.534.6361
