When I attended the 2018 Parental Alienation Conference, I listened to stories of moms and dads with strained relationships with their kids after divorce. Most of them have joint custody, but a child won’t last longer than a few hours under their care because the little one is angry at the parent. Some end up resenting the child for choosing their ex instead of them.
I had seen it happen in person when my uncle divorced his wife a few years back. They had two young kids aged three and eight years old at the time. The mother spoke ill of the father, so the older kid chose to side with their mom and not see their dad. It happens in many households, especially if the wounds in the adults’ hearts are still fresh.
Nevertheless, if you have gotten the shorter end of the stick, and your child wants nothing to do with you, what should you do?
Continue Loving Your Kid
The best course of action is to keep on showing your child how much you love them. Even if they don’t look at you or answer your calls, give them everything they need. Remember that your kid is hurting, so you should try to understand their feelings.
Make Amends With Your Ex
Parent alienation may last for as long as you offend your ex. No matter what has caused the split, therefore, you need to be in speaking terms with them. That’s the only way to coax your ex to encourage the child to open up to you.
Wait Until Your Child Is Ready To Accept You Again
Nothing good comes out of forcing your angry kid to spend the day with you. Doing so may anger them more and widen your relationship gap. Instead, wait in the sidelines until their intense emotions subside.
Parent alienation does not end overnight. Estranged moms and dads must put in a lot of effort to make the children see that they will always be there for them. Don’t lose hope—your kids will eventually realize that.