I can't help it

Here's a totally classic sign of an alienating parent. One that says 'I can't help how the children behave' or 'I can't make them see you if they don't want to'. I say, if you can't help how your children behave or make them do something that is in their best interest, then maybe you need parenting classes in a serious way!

These parents usually have no problem 'making' their children do their homework, clean up their room, go to the dentist, go to school or any myriad of other things the child does not want to do. However, when it comes to respecting the other parent or going on parenting time with them, the alienating parent suddenly has no parenting skills in making the child do what is best for them.. have a relationship with the other parent.

Usually, how these abusive parents work, is to show via body language, and maybe some verbal as well, how happy they are if the child does not talk to or see the other parent, and how upset they are if the child insists anyway and goes to see the other parent. Most of these parents use denial of love as a way to control the child into doing what they want.. no matter what the emotional cost to the child.

Basically, they control the child much like cult leaders control their followers... by verbal and non-verbal cues of encouragement and discouragement..mainly through denial of love and acceptance.