Tag: survivors

Alienated Children grieve in silence

Many alienated children know, deep down, that they have one parent’s love. Often, it is the parent who loves conditionally—the one often exhibiting toxic, narcissistic, or borderline personality traits—from whom they crave affection, sacrificing their happiness and their relationship with the other parent in the process. Children inherently desire love from both parents. A child does not naturally reject a parent, even an abusive one (which I’ve covered in other posts), and needs to be far better understood. ⁠

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The targeted parent, like the child, has likely been operating in survival mode within a toxic home environment. If the healthier-minded parent chooses to leave because the home life has become unbearable—recognising that it is harmful for the child too—the fears triggered in the toxic parent can escalate alienating behaviours, which may have already been in play, either overtly or covertly. At this juncture, if not before, the previously loved parent is demonised by the toxic parent, who now positions themselves as the best mother or father in the world.⁠

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The child, who may have long craved the love and attention of the toxic parent, may become enamoured with the newfound closeness and the secrets (often lies and delusions) shared by that parent. Yet, they are also scared and confused. They might begin to question whether they misjudged their other (target) parent: Have they truly been abandoned? Did that parent ever love them? This internal conflict often manifests as anger or loyalty to the alienating parent, masking the deeper grief they experience. Their grief may not be overt; instead, it can be expressed through rage, confusion, and compliance, making it difficult for others to see the silent suffering beneath the surface. And they probably are not getting the opportunity (little or none), to believe anything other that what the alienating parent is telling them. ⁠

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These negative beliefs, reinforced by lies and the alienation tactics of triangulation (obstruction of contact and divide-and-rule), become ingrained. The toxic parent, now playing the roles of victim and hero, often becomes the child’s closest confidant.

In coping with this turmoil, the child may resort to psychological ‘splitting,’ using their anger and hurt feelings as justification for rejecting

the other parent. They adopt the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours of the toxic parent, believing they have consciously chosen this alignment without external influence. They think it is entirely their decision to turn their back on the other parent. However, what they receive from their aligned parent is not love; it is manipulation. The alienating parent seeks to use the child as a weapon to inflict the maximum emotional pain on the other parent, removing the beloved child from that parent’s life in the most dramatic way possible.

My posts are here not to alarm or upset but to spread awareness about what’s known as ‘parental alienation’ and to provide guidance to those who are going through it, as I did myself. Apart from these daily posts, which I hope help you know you’re not alone, and to better understand it’s an attachment disorder, a pathology, it’s not you; please reach out if I can help with the coaching I offer.

#charliemccready

#parentalalienationcoach

#abuseinthefamily

#pathogenicparent

Abusive partners know what they are doing

The world will tell you that your partner, who is abusive physically and emotionally, who is unfaithful and inconsistent, is dealing with childhood trauma. Their parents didn’t love them correctly.

Their exes hurt them. They’re dealing with deep issues.

It’s not intentional but unconscious. You should wait for them to be talked to, counselled, and so forth.

You should stick it out for the children. Do not break your marriage.

Your partner knows what they’re doing, and that’s why they usually do it when there are no witnesses.

Their anger is a strategy because they never lose their temper in front of other people. Just behind closed doors.

They abuse you for some very sweet reasons, which were listed by one Chuck Derry in this manner.

Derry runs the Gender Violence Institute, and he gathered this information from holding group discussions with abusive partners.

They said it gives them full control over the relationship and their partner. They get to make all decisions and have their partners do their bidding without asking questions.

If you intimidate him or her, they submit and do what you say.

You get their money, their service, their body, all for free. You don’t have to hang out with them or spend time loving them.

You can just disappear and come home whenever you want. They will be at your service and clean up after you.

If you’re generous and kind to everyone else, they will help you convince him or her that they must be the problem. Nobody sees you that way, and so they must be the ones triggering that side of you.

You can win the children to be on your side and isolate this person from their friends so they don’t confront you or strengthen your partner against you.

You can get them to quit their job or get into huge debts so that they’re all the more at your mercy.

This is a game of power.

You can make him or her too ashamed or tired of asking for help, and they surrender to you.

If you dangle the hope of a good future, you can get them making excuses for you and covering your history of violence.

In short, abuse is the ultimate massage to a bloated ego and a weak person.

It gives them a human robot, a live-in nurse and cook, a submissive servant, a punching bag and outlet for all their rage, a dumping site for all their frustrations.

And what do abusers fear most? What could make them stop? These three things they dread, and for them, they’ll change immediately or run away: getting exposed or arrested, breakup or divorce, and their children learning the truth, thereby alienating them.

Your solution is two-fold. Stop thinking your abuser is a victim. They’re strategic with everything, including the drinking, the explosive rage, the late nights, the silent treatments, the affairs.

Everything is strategic. Stop getting emotional with someone who is playing games with your life.

Secondly, leave and talk.

Break away and refuse any reconciliation meetings with relatives and friends.

Your partner’s worst fear is you leaving and telling the world the truth. So they’ll bribe, lobby, mobilize, and do anything to get people pressuring you to stay and be silent.

They’ll start fake therapy, get prayed over, and even plan a wedding.

All these are gimmicks. And even if they stopped the violent abuse, they can never rise to treasuring you. The best you can get is a peaceful but loveless existence. What’s the point? You can get that and better by yourself.

As for the marriage, they broke it themselves with their abuse and mistreatment. You didn’t.

About the children, they will ultimately benefit from you standing up for yourself and giving them the chance to see the truth and choose a better lifestyle than their diabolical parent.

(©️ Benjamin Zulu Global)

Pathogenic Parent

You may have read previous posts I’ve written about virtue signalling, which is a symptom of a culture that prioritises appearances over substance, often at the expense of real accountability. In the same way, family courts often strive to maintain an image of fairness and impartiality, but this frequently leads to both parents being treated as equally culpable in high-conflict cases. Tragically, this can result in the targeted parent—the one alienated from their child—being unjustly placed in the same “naughty” camp as the alienating parent. Or worse, they don’t see through the charade and manipulations of the true persecutor.

What’s commonly known as ‘parental alienation’ is a psychologically abusive attachment disorder caused by one pathogenic parent who manipulates and weaponises the child against the other parent. Despite this being well-documented in psychiatry, psychology, and social sciences, family courts rarely recognise or act decisively on this knowledge.

Extensive research demonstrates that children fare better with the involvement of two loving, available parents and the wider family on both sides. The American Psychological Association (APA) highlights the significant mental health benefits for children who maintain strong relationships with both parents, even after separation or divorce. A meta-analysis by Bauserman (2002) found that children in shared parenting arrangements experience better emotional, behavioural, and academic outcomes compared to those in sole custody arrangements. Research from Canada’s McGill University reveals that children benefit emotionally, socially, and cognitively when supported by a loving, extended family network.

Furthermore, there is evidence to show that even children who suffer abuse can remain bonded to their abusive parent. This trauma bonding often stems from identification with the aggressor, a psychological survival mechanism in abusive relationships. It is tragic but revealing—children are hardwired to seek love and approval from their caregivers, even in the most harmful circumstances. In cases of parental alienation, this same dynamic is exploited, intensifying the child’s attachment to the alienating parent.

If this is the case, why are the courts not taking decisive action when one parent is clearly sabotaging contact and communication with the other parent?

The courts often listen to the ‘voice of the child,’ influenced by organisations like CAFCASS in the UK or Guardian ad Litem (GAL) representatives in the US, without fully appreciating that this is a child who has been emotionally abused and indoctrinated. Alienating parents engage in coercive control, spreading lies, false narratives, and projections, and using techniques such as triangulation and interference with contact.

These behaviours fall under the umbrella of coercive control. In the UK, coercive control is recognised as a form of domestic abuse under the Serious Crime Act 2015. However, this is not consistently the case in other countries, including the US, where recognition of coercive control varies by state and is not uniformly codified in federal law. In any case, the courts rarely recognise this when it is directed at children, even though it meets the criteria for emotional abuse (at least, under UK safeguarding standards). This failure to understand the dynamics of alienation leaves targeted parents—mothers and fathers alike—with devastating outcomes.

I’m not a fan of the nanny state or ‘big government’, I believe that specialist and experts in the field should have government listen to them, rather than the other way around. Things need to change:

Education and training for family court professionals is critical. Judges, solicitors, CAFCASS/GAL officers, and social workers must understand the tactics of coercive control, false narratives, and manipulation to make decisions that prioritise the child’s best interests. Independent psychological assessments must accompany the “voice of the child” to identify coercive control and emotional abuse. Clear consequences are also needed for parents who violate parenting plans or engage in alienating behaviours, such as therapy mandates or changes in custody arrangements.

Independent Psychological Assessments: The child’s voice should not be considered in isolation but evaluated alongside independent psychological assessments to determine the influence of coercive control and emotional abuse.

Enforcement of Parenting Plans: Clear, enforceable consequences must be in place for parents who violate court-ordered parenting plans or demonstrate alienating behaviours, including mandatory therapy for the alienating parent and the child and fines or changes to custody arrangements when alienation persists.

Mental Health Support for Children: Alienated children need therapeutic support to address the psychological harm caused by indoctrination. This should include trauma-informed therapy aimed at deprogramming the false beliefs instilled by the alienating parent.

Accountability for False Allegations: Alienators who fabricate allegations to restrict the other parent’s access should face legal consequences. False claims of abuse not only harm the targeted parent but also undermine the integrity of genuine abuse cases.

Parental alienation is not simply a family dispute—it is psychological abuse. It leaves lasting scars on the mental health of children and targeted parents. As the courts continue to demonstrate their inability to address this issue effectively, systemic change is urgently needed to protect children from coercive control and to preserve the attachment bond between children and the alienated parent.

The focus must be about identifying and addressing abuse. Parental alienation is an insidious form of psychological harm by one parent (and enablers) against the other parent – which harms the children, too.

#charliemccready

#parentalalienationcoach

#CoerciveControl

Difficult Past – Charlie McCready

Self-worth and self-love are integral to our happiness. If we don’t get a sense of our own value when we’re children, during school years, or with our spouse/partners, we can potentially open ourselves up to experiences in our lives that reflect our low self-esteem/lack of self-love back at us, reinforcing the proverbial vicious cycle.

“You don’t attract what you want, you attract what you are.” Wayne Dyer

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds” Bob Marley

I speak from experience. I have been through many dark nights of the soul over the years. Many. And always, it comes back to the need for more self-love and worth. It starts with that.

I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but we must love ourselves first and be our own best friends. We must love and care for ourselves as we love and care for others. Those people and experiences we’ve attracted into our lives, like those parental alienators, take advantage of kindness, generosity, love, and compassion. Healthy relationships come from mental and emotional maturity and balance. Boundaries. Self-respect. Love is not conditional – attachment, promises, control, manipulation. We don’t need validation from others. We are enough We can let go of fear, anger, and grief … I know it’s hard, but it can be done with time, kindness, and some conscious effort, of course. We can start afresh every day—a clean slate. We are not victims. We can transform pain into power. The past is over. Our memories can’t hold us back forever.

“There is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own souls. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” Carl Jung

Nobody else has the permission to tell us we are less, not good enough, unlovable … that stems from their own issues and fears. We should know better if only our minds would just give us a break and be our friends, not our prison guards. Today offers the gift of the present. We can be the saviour, the hero and the creator of our lives.

#charliemccready

#parentalalienationcoach

#selfworthmatters

#healing

#selfcare

#selflovejourney

#parentalalienation

#parentalalienationawareness

#FamilyCourt

#custody