Parenting Archives - Flying Free

When Your Ex-Husband Tries to Use Your Kids to Control You After the Divorce

“I feel like a massive failure as a Christian and a mom. Like a puppet—and he’s pulling the strings.”

Too many women finally muster up the courage to leave their abusive husbands and face an even more painful betrayal: Their exes turn their own children against them. Lying, manipulating, bribing, even using threats in order to get the kids on their side.

It’s sickening. And it can feel like there’s no hope, no justice, and no way forward.

If this is you—wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, no matter how bad things are—I need you to stop and listen to me.

Because I’ve seen terrible cases of parental alienation turn around. I’ve lived it.

No matter what happens: Your future depends on cutting the strings of your puppeteer.

When Wolves Play Dress Up

Is your husband great at playing dress up?

One moment, usually in public, he speaks sweetly, cuddles the baby, and prays over your family. The next moment, usually in the privacy of your home, he glares at you, yells in disgust, and gives you the silent treatment.

He’s the sun and a raging storm.

He’s heaven and hell.

He’s…? How do you figure out reality? How do you come to terms with the oil and water of who he is?

And what do you do when nobody believes that he and others like him are actually wolves in sweet, little sheep’s clothing?

A Teen’s Perspective on Divorce During the Holidays

What’s it like to experience divorce as a kid?

You’ve heard from me. You’ve heard from experts. You’ve heard from survivors.

What about the young ones caught in the throes of things they don’t understand. The ones who only know that Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and life, will never be the same again.

Divorce through the eyes of a teen…my own daughter.

How Do I Get My Kids to Believe and Understand That I’m a Victim of Emotional Abuse?

It took you years, decades maybe, to understand what you were going through.

It’s no wonder your kids don’t recognize emotional abuse for what it is.

Especially because they’re wired to trust their dad. They’re wired to need his love.

So they still call him good, loving even. They still think you and their dad should be together.

You know better.

And it’s agony.

What now?

Four Barriers That Keep Women From Leaving Abusive Relationships

Lydia left her abusive husband.
Then she came back.

She found the guts to leave him again.
And returned another time.

In the end, it took SEVEN times for her to get free.

If you’ve been there or if you’re wondering whether you’ll ever get out too, she’s laying it all on the table in this episode.

The BEST PART? She’s thriving. And she’s no longer ashamed of her past.
Learn more about Lydia’s story in this episode and how you can thrive as well.

Is the Cost to Leave an Abusive Marriage Worth It?

Why are you staying in your abusive marriage?

For many women, the price to get free seems too high. They fear destitution, losing their children, revenge by their husband, more trauma and heartache, a scarlet “D” on their chests, the legal hassle…the list goes on.

These are real, valid fears. And terribly high, but prevalent, costs. Which raise the question: Is it worth it?

Amie experienced all of these things and more to get out. Listen to her story and decide for yourself.

Staying Connected to Our Kids Post-Divorce

In today’s episode, I answer listener questions about staying connected to your kids post-divorce, how to handle parental alienation, a healthy approach to decision-making, figuring out if your husband is really changing, and more!

Building Resilience in Children Who Have Experienced Coercive Control

How do we keep our kids from further harm and teach them to protect themselves when home, the very place they are supposed to be safest, is damaging to their bodies, minds, and souls? Dr. Debra Wingfield how to help children thrive, despite the challenges of an abusive home.

Is it My Fault Our Marriage Is Bad?

Natalie draws from her own story—the pains and the triumphs—to answer two listener questions from women just like you. These women have taken all the blame, and struggle with knowing their true responsibility—whether their bad marriage, and all the fallout from it, are really their fault.

Exploring Parenting