2009 - The Craziness Continues (Deux)

[lost_in_space]

I am going to HJ my own thread - well at least the topic - a bit. Let's call this "How to Deal with Brainwashing".

The general theme around is to be there for your kids, encourage them to talk about feelings and to ask questions but don't bad mouth the other parent.KEEP K'S OUT OF THE MIDDLE!! With that premise, how does one deal with brainwashing.

Will use my sitch as example I have heard that my D16 talks a great deal about her mom's partying / having a good time / how much she does for D16. I have also heard from the k's in the past and more recently from MIL and FlL about how I am making life hard for W, treating her bad. I'll's even said the k's will resent me in future when they see this. None of this is true (about my treatment).

In thinking about this and talking to close friends about it, all we can conclude is that W is filling heads of anyone who will listen with lies / half truths / false accusations. D16 in particular seems to be getting stories upon stories. Have heard from parents of D16's friends that the friends are worried and upset that D16 believes what she does (yes, these friends know all).

So how do you deal with this without calling other parent a liar? Approaches?

I think a convo where k's can express what they understand to be going on would be a start. But by doing this are they not being drawn in the middle?

All comments welcome. The phone lines are now open...