Kenneth Paschall, left, and Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs

Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs has proclaimed the week of April 22-28 as Parental Alienation Prevention Week and April 25 as “Bubbles for Love” Day in the City of Cullman.

On hand to receive the proclamation was Kenneth Paschal, a US Army retired first sergeant who serves as Family Day Event Coordinator with the Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA).

Parental alienation is the term used to describe any number of behaviors and attitudes on the part of one parent that are designed to interfere, damage or destroy the relationship a child has with their other parent. It’s a form of abuse that causes emotional trauma to children, deprives children of their right to freely love and be loved by both parents and extended family and robs children of their sense of security. Mental professionals agree that the negative effects of parental alienation can follow a child into adulthood, often with tragic consequences.

Parental alienation can arise from divorce, child custody situations and even with intact families. Parental Alienation is evidenced by the alienating behaviors of a person, such as a parent, family members, or as a result of the judicial system restricting the relationship between a child and a loving parent. Alienation can severely damage or destroy a child’s relationship with a parent. The most common symptom of children affected by parental alienation is a child’s rejection of a loving parent who has done nothing to warrant that rejection, and it is at the behest of the other parent.

The Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA) seeks to bring awareness and educate the public about parental alienation. Through awareness, social attitudes can be changed. Parental Alienation Prevention Week is intended to increase the knowledge and understanding of this problem to help Alabamians, institutions, the legal and mental health community, and leaders to better identify and combat such abusive behavior to children. The ALFRA believes that children should be able to freely express the meaning of F.A.M.I.L.Y. = Father And Mother, I Love You.

On April 25 at noon, ALFRA and the Exchange Club of Shelby County request residents take 10 minutes to blow Bubbles for Love in support of Parental Alienation Awareness in an effort to educate the public about this form of child abuse.

For more information on these issues you may visit the ALFRA web site at www.ALFRA.org.