What it looks like when a parent is alienating children from other parent. This blog post is a part of a series of blog posts dealing with the problem of when a parent is alienating children for other parent.

The Alienating parent will exhibit specific behaviors, signs and symptoms than those of the children and the target parent. The following examples of Alienators behavior are called Red Flags. The more of these a parent exhibits or enacts, the higher the probability of parental alienation syndrome is occurring.

Having the child call his non-custodial parent by his/her first name; instead of Daddy or Mommy

Preventing the children from contacting their father by pulling the phone out of the wall, changing their phone number, refusing to allow them to accept calls, refusing to allow them to make phone calls or lying and claiming the children are not home or are asleep.

Discussing and involving the children in court, child support and other legal matters, which they should not be involved in.

Insisting that the children call the new person in the AP’s life “Mom or Dad”

Escalating Parental Alienation Syndrome behavior if the NCP commences a new relationship

Insisting that the children NEVER call a stepparent mom or dad.

Hanging up the telephone if discussions do not follow their agenda

When the child is allowed to speak to the Target Parent on the telephone the Parental Alienation Syndrome parent will oversee the call, instructing the child on what to say and how to respond to the Target Parent and force the end of the call if either child or Target Parent fail to conduct the call as the Parental Alienation Syndrome parent deems appropriate.

Deliberately pulling the children away if they meet the target parent out i.e. at the shops.

Avoiding children’s activities i.e. school events as the target parent may be there

Previous evidence of anger management issues

Poor family support network or a family network that supports the Parental Alienation Syndrome behavior

Refuse to communicate via fax, email or letter as to do so will provide evidence in the form of a paper trail of their activities.

Will wait until the last minute to inform the target parent of changes to visitation.

Will feel it is their right to provide the children for visitation late but insist the children MUST be returned to the exactly on time.

Will not provide any information to the target parent about the children’s day-to-day activities but will insist on knowing exactly what the target parent will be doing with the children whilst they are with the Target Parent.

Will choose to pay others to provide childcare and not utilize the Target Parent even if it would be more suitable for all parties.

Will claim the child is too sick to visit the target parent.

Will claim the Target Parent is not capable of parenting the child Properly

Cause the child to feel guilt about wanting to see their other parent

Avoid, at all costs, using a neutral drop off / pick up location