Even in the best of circumstances, divorce is usually hard on children. But a manipulative parent can force children to choose sides through hostile aggressive parenting (HAP). HAP can lead to what is known as parental alienation syndrome (PAS) — a situation in which one parent turns a child against the other parent.
Actions that constitute HAP
Any vilifying words or isolating actions the parent employs to alienate your children from you may be considered hostile aggressive parenting. Some tactics the parent might use include:
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Denigrating, disparaging and belittling you in front of your children
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Making malicious and untruthful comments about you to your children
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Refusing to speak to you
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Withholding messages you have sent to your children
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Not answering the phone when you call
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Suggesting to your children that they should refuse visitation time with you
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Manipulating your children’s time to interfere with your opportunities to see them
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Excluding you from important events — such as the children’s birthday parties or school functions
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Discouraging your children from communicating with you
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Failing to inform you about crucial issues in your children’s lives
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Encouraging your children to treat you with disrespect
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Giving your children the impression that you don’t matter or don’t love them
What you can do to avoid or mitigate PAS
PAS can profoundly affect your relationship with your children and can take years to heal. Our child custody lawyers at Bryan Salamone & Associates, P.C. fight for you to preserve your special relationship with your kids after divorce.
