Carrie Briggs

Research

I reside in Central NJ and am a self-supporting single mother to a wonderful young teen boy who is the most important thing in the world to me. I love him more than anything.

For years my son’s father and I co-parented effectively and fairly, with a 50%-50% equal physical custody arrangement, as my son’s father moved to the same town, same school district, where I lived with my son. Everything was working out fine, and was fair and equal, as I feel it should be.

When my son’s behavior began to change, and he began to act coldly towards me, became very disrespectful, insulting, wanted nothing to do with me, etc. I did what most parents would do – I reacted poorly and defensively.

When he then told me he wanted to go live full time with his father and new pseudo-stepmother, and I did not agree that was best for him, his behavior got much worse. He did not seem like himself at all. He began to “parrot” very adult-like phrases that no 11-year old would have in his vocabulary. He began to repeat hurtful selfish things that I had already heard from the other parent and step parent. He began to say that I did not love him and only wanted him “for the money.” This was very upsetting and hurtful to me. Hearing these things from your own child is the most painful thing in the world!

I then began to research the internet, read books, and I discovered his symptoms and behaviors matched what was described as Parental Alienation and Parental Alienation Syndrome.

Knowledge is power. I learned the right way and the wrong way to react when your child is demonstrating PAS symptoms. I met several (wonderful & loving) people via the Internet who are experiencing the same things with their children, and much, much worse. Many have not seen their own children in years. The support these friends have given me is wonderful.

Currently, things have gotten much better with my son, and at this time I retain an equal 50% - 50% physical custody arrangement with my son’s father. I would never, ever, take my son away from the father that he loves.

I strongly believe that every child NEEDS BOTH PARENTS very much in their lives. BOTH loving, biological parents deserve to raise their children equally. It is the best thing for all children.

Parents who are angry and bitter after a breakup – have GOT TO REALIZE the damage they are doing to their own children when they start a campaign of denigration against the other parent.

We need to fight to STOP the devastating effects that parental alienation has on our kids!

Secretary

I was married for 20 years and have three wonderful children, two daughters(21 and 19) and a son 15. They are the best thing that ever happened to me and I love them more than anything in the world.

I didn't even know that "Parental Alienation" or "Parental Alienation Syndrome" existed before I got divorced but I sure know what it is now. I know what it is like to have to fight for parenting time with my children; to have my children look at me like I am a complete stranger when their mother is near; to be told that I am not part of the family; to miss out on Father's Day, birthdays, vacations and holidays; to have phone numbers blocked and to be told that my children don't want to see me.

A very smart Canadian Judge recently said, The only emotion that does not come naturally to a child is Hate! It must be taught! "Parental Alienation" can only be stopped if it is recognized. "Parental Alienation Syndrome" can be reversed and children can be reunited with the "Target Parent", but only if we take action!

This is why I have dedicated my life to fighting "Parental Alienation" and "Parental Alienation Syndrome" through education and legislation.

"To help children deal with the loss of one or both parents due to divorce(especially those including Parental Alienation), military duty, death, imprisonment, etc., I will be starting a RAINBOWS (grief consolation) program at my parish in January of 2009. I am actively involved with the Life/Teen organization at the parish as well."