It involves a deliberate attempt by one parent to destroy their child or children’s relationship and bond with the other parent. It involves a pattern of systematic attacks on the targeted parent and involves the child in that process. PAS occurs almost exclusively within the context of divorce.

Some examples of how a parent alienates a child are: making disparaging remarks about the other parent; exposing the children to the details of the legal proceedings; denying access; having the children believe things that are untrue about the other parent (i.e., your mom or dad doesn’t love you anymore; we can’t afford food because your mom or dad doesn’t care if we eat or not; exposing the children to issues in the marriage that they should not be; threatening children that they will lose the affection of the alienating parent if they see or talk to their other parent.

Young children are dependent on their parents for their essential care and nurturing. When parents separate, many children feel that they have been abandoned and/or have lost the parent who has moved out of the home. Because PAS\affected children come to learn that the alienating parent’s love for them is at the expense of hating and rejecting the other parent, they cannot risk losing that parent. Children are acutely aware that they are at the center of their parents’ conflict. It places them in a no-win situation because children should never have to choose between parents. Children exposed to the influences of an alienating parent are under tremendous pressure. When the stress and anxiety of the conflict becomes too great, children will often give into the alienating parent’s demands and align themselves with him or her.

Unless otherwise indicated, Not Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
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