Holiday Hijacking (Parental Alienation)

Send us Fan MailSeason 4  Episode 10 The Beard Speaks Podcast.In this episode of The Beard Speaks Podcast, Pat talks about the most common parental alienation tactic, Holiday Hijacking, Why it happens and how it happens to parents all over the world. Holiday hijacking in parental alienation is when one parent deliberately disrupts or sabotages the other parent's holiday time with the child by creating conflicts, scheduling competing events, or making last-minute cancellations, forcing the child to choose sides, feel guilty, and develop negative views of the targeted parent, thus undermining their relationship for the alienating parent's gain. How it worksConflicting Schedules: An alienating parent might schedule an important event (like a birthday party or holiday dinner) at the exact time the other parent has the child, creating a forced choice.Sabotaging Plans: This includes last-minute "emergencies" or sudden changes to prevent scheduled visits or communication.Emotional Manipulation: The child is put in the middle, made to feel guilty for wanting to see the other parent, or pressured to adopt the alienating parent's negative views.Creating Division: The goal is to make the child see the targeted parent as unreliable, unsafe, or unimportant, especially during significant family times like holidays, according to this article from Simon, O'Brien, & Knapp, which is a core aim of parental alienation, notes Amy J.L. Baker, PhD. Impact on the childConfusion & Stress: The child feels torn and caught between parents.Damaged Relationship: It erodes the bond with the targeted parent, a classic sign of parental alienation, according to research by Amy J.L. Baker, PhD.Skewed Perception: The child may begin to internalize the alienating parent's negative portrayal, rejecting the other parent without valid reasons. Music in this episode by Catalano and The Pat Catalano ProjectBurn - Catalano (Album) Into the DarknessThe Glass Throne (Absent King) - The Pat Catalano Project  (Album) Paper CrownsSupport the show