Child Interference Abuse is subtle and children may be completely unaware of the slowly shifting subtext in the family under the stress of divorce/separation. Even if a child does detect these behaviors and know they are unhealthy, the child is in no position to make the abuse stop. Children are beholden to the environment the parent provides.
Emotional Manipulation
Badmouthing the rejected parent by constantly criticizing, speaking negatively about the other parent, or ascribing undesirable attributes to the rejected parent.
Blaming the rejected parent by making the child feel that the other parent is responsible for the family problems or separation.
Lying about the rejected parent by providing false or misleading information to damage the child's perception of the other parent.
Exaggerating flaws by amplifying the monr flauts of the rejected parent to undermine their credibility.
Interfering with Child-Parent Communication
Blocking contact and refusing to let the child communicate with the other parent via phone, text, video calls, or apps.
Intercepting messages, mail, and gifts intended for the child.
Refusing to pass along gifts, letters, communications and other tokens of love and affection to the child from the rejected parent.
Restricting Visitation
Making visitation difficult by creating logistical challenges or excuses to limit time with the rejected parent.
Canceling visits repeatedly or canceling planned visits without valid reasons.
Coaching the child to refuse visitation by encouraging the child to say they don't want to spend time with the other child.
Emotional Influence in the Child
Making the child feel guilty for loving the other parent by implying that the child's affection for the other parent is a betrayal.
Rewarding loyalty with offering validation, rewards, and privileges for siding with the interfering parent.
Punishing the child for positive interactions with the rejected parent by expressing anger or disappointment if the child enjoys time with the other parent.
Undermining the Child-Parent Relationship
Telling the child the other parent doesn't love them and suggesting the rejected parent is neglectful, doesn't care, or has move on.
Discouraging affection and telling the child to not hug or express love for the other parent.
Encouraging the child to call parent by their first name or someone else as their new "mom" or "dad".
Withholding information and excluding the other parent from important events, medical decisions, school and sport activities.
Creating False Narratives
Fabricating abuse claims by falsely accusing the other parent of abuse or neglect.
Planting false memories and suggestion incidents happened that did not occur or distort the child's memory.
Misrepresenting past events by twisting and distorting family history to demonize the other parent.
Encouraging Dependence in the Rejecting Parent
Promoting exclusivity by making the child feel they need to rely solely on the rejecting parent.
Fostering co-dependency and making the child feel unsafe or insecure when with the other parent.
Undermining the child's independence by discouraging the child from developing their pwn opinions or relationships with others.
Legal and Institutional Interference
Filing frivolous legal claims and initiating unnecessary court actions to disrupt custody.
Involving authorities unnecessarily by calling the police or child protective services with false allegations.
Refusing to comply with court orders and ignoring custody agreements or visitation schedules.
Psychological Manipulation
Gaslighting and causing the child to question their preception or memories related to the rejected parent.
Projecting negative traits by attributing the interfering parent's negative behaviors to the other parent.
Playing the victim with the interfering parent portraying themselves as the victim and the other parent the interfering parent.
Isolating the Child
Cutting off extended family by preventing the child from seeing the other parent, siblings, the rejected parents' family members, even pets.
Restricting social interactions by limiting the child's ability to engage with peers who might support a positive view of the rejected parent.
These behaviors especially when sustained over time, can lead to the child rejecting a loving and available parent for no legitimate cause other than it pleases the other parent to cause harm this way or to improve their position for divorce proceedings. Early recognition and intervention are essential to mitigate the harmful effects of child interference abuse.