Beyond The High Road of Parental Alienation

Navigating the Complexities of Parental Alienation: When and How to Talk to Your Kids In episode 123 of the Beyond the High Road podcast, Shelby Milford discusses the sensitive and complex topic of parental alienation (PA) and whether or when to inform your children about it. Shelby highlights the importance of focusing on one's own healing as a prerequisite to addressing PA with children. She outlines two main scenarios where it might be appropriate to discuss PA with children: when they come to you with questions and when you have nothing left to lose. Shelby emphasizes the need for humility, all-encompassing love, and a clear understanding of one's motives before engaging in such conversations. She also provides practical advice on teaching critical thinking skills to children and the importance of validating their emotions. Throughout the episode, Shelby underscores the significance of approaching the topic with a mindset geared towards connection and understanding, rather than defense or blame. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:12 The Dilemma of Telling Your Kids 01:47 When to Tell Your Kids About Alienation 05:21 Preparing for the Conversation 08:57 Approaching with Humility and Love 20:01 Teaching Critical Thinking 30:13 Focusing on Your Own Feelings 30:53 Practicing Positive Thoughts 31:53 Teaching Critical Thinking Skills 33:02 Handling Emotional Outbursts 33:57 Encouraging Open Conversations 35:01 Using Feelings Lists 36:40 Avoiding Common Pitfalls 42:46 Understanding the Alienator's Mindset 45:14 Finding Compassion and Neutrality 53:07 Summarizing Key Points 56:43 Final Thoughts and Announcements