After a divorce, families in Pennsylvania like yours have a lot of adjusting to do. Some adjust better than others. In worst case scenarios, those who cannot adjust well may try to take others down with them.
This is sometimes the case with parental alienation. Unfortunately, the primary target is your child and they can suffer through trauma because of it.
Why does it happen?
The Psychiatric Times looks at parental alienation and how it impacts families after divorce. Parental alienation happens when one parent tries to ruin the relationship between their co-parent and child. There are many speculated reasons for this. The alienating parent may genuinely consider the alienated parent a danger. They may feel slighted by the alienated parent and want revenge. Petty anger may even fuel it.
How does it happen?
The alienating parent will go on a crusade to smear the reputation of their co-parent. They will do everything in their power to make their co-parent look terrible and monstrous to their child. They may twist the truth or lie outright. For example, if you cannot make an important school event due to work, they may lie and say you did not wish to come.
Over time, the child will grow to dislike or even hate the alienated parent. They often claim they came to this conclusion on their own. They are unable to provide concrete, thorough reasons for their dislike when pressed, though.
Parental alienation is a form of child psychological abuse. Because of this, it leaves lasting scars on affected children. This is why it is important to act fast if you notice signs of parental alienation. Consider discussing it with a legal professional.