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What happens to a child when one parent talks bad about the other?
It can lead to poor self-esteem, self-blaming and self-hatred, which can turn into substance abuse, legal problems, eating disorders and self-injurious behaviors. Just as you would not want to have to choose sides between two of your children, you should not expect your child to choose between his or her parents.
How does one parent undermine the other?
The child may react by idealizing one parent and devaluing the other. Children who are burdened by an undermining parent learn that it is not possible to have a good relationship with both parents. The other parent may give the child space to come around, but this may inadvertently reinforce negative perceptions.
What does undermining look like?
Someone who is trying to undermine you will likely badmouth others to you and you to others. Underminers criticize but offer no solutions because their goal is to make people look bad, not improve anything. Underminers think they look better if they make others look worse.
How do I deal with badmouthing from my co-parent or someone else?
Dealing with badmouthing from your co-parent or someone else can be a frustrating process, but it is necessary to handle it appropriately. If one of your kids tells you that they’ve heard their other parent or someone else saying mean or harmful things about you, you must remember not to retaliate.
What is badmouthing a child in a divorce?
Badmouthing in Divorce Proceedings Bad-mouthing is often used by a parent during a divorce to hurt the other parent or to get their own way. Family law attorneys sometimes refer to this as parental alienation syndrome, used to damage or undermine the child’s relationship with the other person with no justification.
Is bad-mouthing the other parent ever the right parenting choice?
Savvy single parents – despite painful breakup drama – recognize that bad-mouthing the other parent is never the right parenting choice. Here’s why: Change is hard. Every breakup involves change. Your kids struggle with often unwelcome changes, too.
Is it bad for kids to hear their parents badmouth each other?
Along with hearing one parent badmouth the other, it can also be harmful to kids to hear other family members or friends badmouth one of their parents. Even though it may not be coming from a parent, it can be just as uncomfortable and inappropriate for kids to hear. Start this school year off on the right foot.