divorce mediation plano txParental Alienation Syndrome usually occurs when one parent manipulates a child into fearing or mistrusting the other parent, and divorce mediation Plano TX helps reduce instances of parental alienation. Mediation is conducted privately in an office with an impartial mediator, foregoing the combative atmosphere of the courtroom for quiet discussion. This diffuses negative emotions that may cause one parent to turn a child against the other parent.

Divorce Mediation Plano TX: Signs of Parental Alienation Syndrome

During a bitter divorce or custody dispute, a child may shut out one parent and favor the other. While this may occur due to the pressure and confusion of the divorce proceedings and the resulting life disruption, more often than not it can be traced to emotional manipulation by one parent. A child has Parental Alienation Syndrome when he or she exhibits the following behaviors:

Insults or disrespects the alienated parent

Imitates the alienating parent’s attitude and feelings toward the alienated parent

Blames the alienated parent for things that have gone wrong in his/her life

Throws out or destroys presents or mail from the alienated parent.

Doesn’t answer correspondence from the alienated parent (email, text, voicemail, etc.)

The alienating parent makes the child feel guilty if she/he has any contact with (or shows any affection for) the alienating parent.

Parental alienation Syndrome most often occurs during heated courtroom divorce cases, but it may also be evident during separation, divorce mediation, or any time a married couple experiences problems. Any disruption in marriage will affect children. Employing divorce mediation instead of a long, drawn-out court case will reduce pressure on both parents and on children. In court, lawyers may pit one parent against the other in a legal battle that often causes children to “choose sides” or be manipulated by one or both parents to help them “win” the case. This is psychologically unhealthy for children and parents.

Even though Parental Alienation is not yet recognized as a mental disorder by the psychiatric community, mediators and family law judges see children’s rights and well-being as the deciding factor in awarding custody or granting co-parenting. Mediators are well-aware of the signs of parental alienation, (and the conditions that lead to it) and can work with parents to help avoid the long-term bitterness of PAS.

Divorce mediation Plano TX can help parents decide on the best custody arrangement for their situation. Help avoid parental alienation and the legal wrangling of divorce court by calling Divorce Mediation Centers of Texas at (469) 630-3400.