Replies to '12/26 "Brainwashed by My Parents"'

I can't believe anyone can be this narrow-minded, maybe just MISINFORMED.

I am a WOMAN that is the victim of parental alienation - it started the minute we separated when my son was 3 - his father and my ex-mother-in-law systematically brainwashed him from that age - pediatricians had assessed him a few years later and stated that the visits with them should be STOPPED, although I didn't do it because I didn't feel it was the right thing - to not let a little boy see his dad and felt that he would eventually resent me for doing such a thing - I had FULL custody.  When he was 11, his dad accused me of abuse - when child services found no problems when visiting my home and talking with my son, he continued to call the police EVERY DAY until he finally found an officer that would follow his accusations through (Rookie out to "fix the world")...  I was dragged into court and found not guilty, but in the meantime my child was put in the care of services (living with ex-mother-in-law who just HAPPENED to take foster children in - how 'bout that?  They KNEW the system).  When it was all over, they still would not allow me to see or even speak to my son, and I found myself again in a custody battle.  By this time, the service department realized they were caught up in a custody battle, but "didn't know what to do about it" - not sending my son HOME until the courts decided.  He has been living with his father since that time (over 5 years), and for the first 4-1/2 years, until just this year, I have not seen or heard from my son AT ALL.  He was instructed to not ever go to me or call me - when I went to his school to see him, he was HORRIFIED - scared to death that he would be in trouble for seeing me.  He is now a very troubled 16-year-old, still under the thumb of his father.

I am so disgusted that there are people out there that thing this is a BOGUS syndrome - whether it's a syndrome or not, IT HAPPENS - TO MEN AND WOMEN BOTH.  It's the selfishness and vindictiveness of a parent, putting their own agenda before the well-being of their own child - that puts these children in a position of fear of caring for their "other" parent.  If you think this is only WOMAN BASHING - THINK AGAIN!!  I have lived in constant pain for over five years and missed out on my only son growing up because my ex couldn't GET OVER IT and do what was best for our boy, even 8 years after the separation!!  Kids should not have to live like this - they should be allowed by each parent to love the other - no matter how the parents feel about eachother.