FFP 19: A Stepmom’s Heartbreaking Journey Through Alienation

04/10/25 • 37 min

Fractured Families Podcast Fighting Parental Alienation

Summary:

In this deeply moving episode of The Fractured Family Podcast, Charity sits down with Nicole, a devoted stepmother from Illinois. For eight years, Nicole has stood by her husband as they navigate the harrowing experience of being alienated from his daughter. Nicole shares raw and candid insights into how subtle signs of alienation grew into a heartbreaking rift, the role of the legal system and guardians ad litem, and the devastating impact this has had on their family. She offers hope, hard-earned wisdom, and a reminder that no one facing parental alienation is ever truly alone.

📝 Talking Points:

Nicole’s Story: The Beginning of Alienation
- How alienation began even before Nicole entered their lives.
- Early red flags: subtle behaviors that hinted at something deeper.
The Subtle Signs Turned Severe
- Shift in the child’s behavior over time.
- The other parent’s influence: control, manipulation, and false narratives.
Life Under a Microscope: Navigating Visitation
- 50/50 custody that feels anything but equal.
- Walking on eggshells during parenting time.
The Legal System and Guardian ad Litem Challenges
- How narcissists manipulate the system and present well in short meetings.
- The guardian ad litem’s failure to recognize or address alienation.
The Impact on the Child
- Emotional and relational struggles, despite academic success.
- The long-term psychological harm caused by being used as a pawn.
The Toll on Nicole as a Stepmom
- The heartbreak of losing a relationship she nurtured for years.
- The stress on her marriage and family.
Hope, Healing, and Moving Forward
- Their hopes for the custody evaluation outcome.
- Nicole’s advice to other alienated parents and stepparents.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Parental alienation often starts subtly and can escalate over time, leaving targeted parents and stepparents feeling blindsided.
Narcissistic and high-conflict parents can manipulate both the child and the legal system, presenting well to professionals like guardians ad litem while engaging in abusive behaviors behind the scenes.
Alienated children often perform well in school or other areas, masking deep emotional harm. Academic success does not mean they are unaffected.
Step-parents can be deeply impacted, experiencing profound heartbreak and stress as they support their spouse and fight for a child they love.
The legal system frequently fails to recognize or address parental alienation, making knowledgeable professionals like custody evaluators critical in these cases.
You are not alone. Thousands of families are going through similar struggles, and sharing stories can bring understanding and healing.

Thank you for listening to the Fractured Families Podcast. If this story resonates with you or you’ve experienced parental alienation, we want to hear your voice
👉 Be our guest! Share your story and join the fight for awareness by signing up here: https://tally.so/r/w710AP
📲 Follow Charity:
https://www.facebook.com/ParentalAlienationisReal
https://www.tiktok.com/@parentalalienationisreal
https://www.instagram.com/parentalalienationisreal/
Together, we can amplify the voices of alienated parents and fight for change. Don’t forget to like, share, and follow for more episodes.
🎙️ Let’s rebuild fractured families.
#FracturedFamiliesPodcast #parentalalienationi

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Summary:

📝 Talking Points:

Nicole’s Story: The Beginning of Alienation
- How alienation began even before Nicole entered their lives.
- Early red flags: subtle behaviors that hinted at something deeper.
The Subtle Signs Turned Severe
- Shift in the child’s behavior over time.
- The other parent’s influence: control, manipulation, and false narratives.
Life Under a Microscope: Navigating Visitation
- 50/50 custody that feels anything but equal.
- Walking on eggshells during parenting time.
The Legal System and Guardian ad Litem Challenges
- How narcissists manipulate the system and present well in short meetings.
- The guardian ad litem’s failure to recognize or address alienation.
The Impact on the Child
- Emotional and relational struggles, despite academic success.
- The long-term psychological harm caused by being used as a pawn.
The Toll on Nicole as a Stepmom
- The heartbreak of losing a relationship she nurtured for years.
- The stress on her marriage and family.
Hope, Healing, and Moving Forward
- Their hopes for the custody evaluation outcome.
- Nicole’s advice to other alienated parents and stepparents.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Parental alienation often starts subtly and can escalate over time, leaving targeted parents and stepparents feeling blindsided.
Narcissistic and high-conflict parents can manipulate both the child and the legal system, presenting well to professionals like guardians ad litem while engaging in abusive behaviors behind the scenes.
Alienated children often perform well in school or other areas, masking deep emotional harm. Academic success does not mean they are unaffected.
Step-parents can be deeply impacted, experiencing profound heartbreak and stress as they support their spouse and fight for a child they love.
The legal system frequently fails to recognize or address parental alienation, making knowledgeable professionals like custody evaluators critical in these cases.
You are not alone. Thousands of families are going through similar struggles, and sharing stories can bring understanding and healing.

Support the show

Previous Episode

FFP 18: 13 Years of Fighting: A Father's Journey Through Alienation

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Summary:

In this powerful episode of the Fractured Family Podcast, host Charity sits down with Michael, an alienated father of two boys. Michael opens up about his harrowing 13-year battle through the family court system and the manipulative tactics used by his ex-wife to sever his relationship with his children. From emotional and financial abuse to false accusations and court-imposed barriers, Michael candidly shares the highs and lows of his journey. Despite the trauma, Michael fought to stay connected to his sons, fostering resilience, empathy, and healing for himself and his family. He also discusses his transformative book The Sword That Divides, which offers insight into manipulation and control, disguised as a compelling hero’s journey.

📝 Key Talking Points:

Michael’s background: Father of two boys, 13-year custody and alienation battle.
The early signs of parental alienation and coercive control by his ex-wife.
Financial struggles, long-distance parenting, and the sacrifices he made to maintain contact.
The emotional manipulation his children endured, including isolation and being used as pawns.
His discovery of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and how it clarified his experience.
Calling Child Protective Services and navigating the court system to advocate for his sons.
The role of documentation and evidence in custody battles.
His son's courage in confronting emotional abuse and breaking free from control.
The creation of The Sword That Divides—a memoir and guide on manipulation and healing.
Advice for other alienated parents: staying connected, documenting everything, and self-healing.
The role of faith and spiritual resilience in Michael’s family’s healing journey.

✨ Key Takeaways:

Never Stop Fighting for Your Children
Michael’s perseverance, despite countless obstacles, shows the power of unwavering love and dedication.
Documentation is Critical
Keeping meticulous records over the years provided crucial evidence to counter false accusations and manipulation.
Understanding Narcissistic Abuse is Empowering
Learning about NPD and coercive control helped Michael make sense of his experience and strategize effectively.
Connection Can Overcome Alienation
His efforts to relate to his children—through shared interests, empathy, and understanding—created a bond that survived alienation tactics.
Healing Comes Through Awareness and Community
Writing his book and connecting with others facing similar experiences has been therapeutic for Michael and his family.
The Fight May Be Costly, but the Reward is Priceless
Michael’s sons now understand their truth and have gained independence and strength, proving the fight was worth it.

Thank you for listening to the Fractured Families Podcast. If this story resonates with you or you’ve experienced parental alienation, we want to hear your voice.
👉 Be our guest! Share your story and join the fight for awareness by signing up here: https://tally.so/r/w710AP
📲 Follow Charity:
https://www.facebook.com/ParentalAlienationisReal
https://www.tiktok.com/@parentalalienationisreal
https://www.instagram.com/parentalalienationisreal/
Together, we can amplify the voices of alienated parents and fight for change. Don’t forget to like, share, and follow for more episodes.
🎙️ Let’s rebuild fractured families.
#FracturedFamiliesPodcast #parentalalienationisreal #FamilyCourtReform #ParentalRights #ChildCustody #Resilience #HopeAndHealing #Podcast #p

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Next Episode

FFP 20: Abandoned Twice: Losing My Children and My Family’s Support

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Summary:

In this episode, we delve into the deeply painful experience of parental alienation through the story of Michael, a father who has been unjustly separated from his children. Michael shares his firsthand account of how his relationship with his children was manipulated and eroded by an alienating parent. We explore the psychological and emotional toll on both the alienated parent and the children, uncovering the long-term consequences of these harmful behaviors. Through his story, we shed light on the legal, emotional, and relational challenges faced by alienated parents and discuss pathways toward healing and reunification.

Talking Points:

Michael’s Story: His experience of being alienated from his children.
The Emotional Toll: The psychological effects on the alienated parent and the children.
Signs of Alienation: Recognizing alienating behaviors in high-conflict situations.
Legal Challenges: The struggles of fighting for parental rights in court.
Impact on Children: How alienation affects a child’s mental and emotional development.
Breaking the Cycle: What parents and professionals can do to combat alienation.
Hope for Reunification: Stories of healing and reconnecting with alienated children.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Parental alienation is a form of emotional abuse that harms both the parent and child.
✅ Alienating behaviors can create false narratives that damage relationships.
✅ The legal system often fails to recognize and address alienation effectively.
✅ Children caught in the middle suffer from identity confusion, guilt, and long-term psychological effects.
✅ Education and awareness are crucial in preventing alienation and promoting healthy co-parenting.

Thank you for listening to the Fractured Families Podcast. If this story resonates with you or you’ve experienced parental alienation, we want to hear your voice.
👉 Be our guest! Share your story and join the fight for awareness by signing up here: https://tally.so/r/w710AP or email me at [email protected]
📲 Follow Charity:
https://www.facebook.com/ParentalAlienationisReal
https://www.tiktok.com/@parentalalienationisreal
https://www.instagram.com/parentalalienationisreal/
Together, we can amplify the voices of alienated parents and fight for change. Don’t forget to like, share, and follow for more episodes.
🎙️ Let’s rebuild fractured families.
#FracturedFamiliesPodcast #ParentalAlienation #LaurenCarr #JeremyTheAlienatedDad #CharitySchneider #FamilyCourtReform #ParentalRights #ChildCustody #Resilience #HopeAndHealing #Podcast #parentalalienationisreal

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