It is fairly common to include in Nebraska parenting plans a provision that the two parents are not to criticize one another in front of the children or say or imply anything negative about the other parent.
Some Omaha dads might think, however, that this sort of provision is hard to enforce and, at any rate, is not really a big deal so long as they are getting their allotted visitation time.
Although this is not to say that every little violation of a parenting plan should wind up in front of a judge, dads who think this may want to re-consider, as tolerating the mother’s critical remarks, inflexibility or obstructive behavior can emotional damage the children. Psychologists dub this emotional damage parental alienation syndrome.
As one might guess, parental alienation syndrome is caused when one parent, usually a parent who has the power to do so and who may be struggling with some emotional issues, as a matter of routine berates and criticizes the other parent and treats that parent as if he is someone to be avoided or, at best, tolerated for the bear minimum time.
The end result is that a child might be left feeling like his or her own parent does not love them but is in fact an enemy to be fought. This can contribute to serious psychological fallout such that some have implied that those who cause parental alienation are guilty of child abuse.
The bottom line is that if a dad gets the notion that his children’s mother is disparaging him or is just trying to interfere with the relationship, he may need to assert his fathers’ rights by exploring his legal options for correcting the situation.