Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD), History, Activities

 Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD)

Parental Alienation Awareness Day(Getty)

April 25th is observed as Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD) every year to increase awareness about parental alienation and its detrimental impact on children and families. Parental alienation is a situation where one parent manipulates a child's emotions towards the other parent, resulting in damage to the child's relationship with that parent. This behavior can lead to the child distancing themselves from the targeted parent, causing long-term emotional distress.

In 2006, the nonprofit organization Parental Alienation Awareness Organization (PAAO) initiated the observance of PAAD to promote awareness and provide support to families affected by parental alienation. The day is marked with multiple events and activities, including seminars, workshops, webinars, and social media campaigns, with the aim of educating the public about parental alienation and its consequences.

The primary objective of PAAD is to raise awareness about parental alienation and encourage parents, family members, and professionals to identify and tackle it as soon as it occurs. By increasing awareness about parental alienation, PAAD aims to prevent its negative impact on children and families, promote healthy and positive relationships between parents and their children.

Parental Alienation Awareness Day History

Each year on April 25th, Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD) is observed to raise awareness about the problem of parental alienation. This happens when one parent attempts to turn their child against the other parent during a divorce or separation.

The day was founded in 2006 by Sarvy Emo, a Canadian child therapist, to increase understanding about parental alienation. April 25th was chosen as it holds a special significance for Emo, as it is her daughter's birthday.

PAAD has been marked globally with various events and activities to educate people about the damaging effects of parental alienation on children and families. The day is also an opportunity for family members affected by parental alienation, including parents and grandparents, to come together and support each other.

Despite the efforts of advocates and organizations, parental alienation remains a topic of debate, with some questioning its legitimacy as a phenomenon or as a form of manipulation used by one parent to gain an advantage in custody battles. Nevertheless, PAAD is observed every year in the hopes of promoting greater understanding and support for families dealing with parental alienation.

Parental Alienation Awareness Day Activities

Every year on April 25th, Parental Alienation Awareness Day is celebrated to increase awareness about the adverse impacts of parental alienation on both children and families. Here are some activities that you can do to observe Parental Alienation Awareness Day:

Share information on social media: Share articles, infographics, or videos that raise awareness about parental alienation on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use the hashtag #ParentalAlienationAwarenessDay to increase visibility.

Participate in online events: Join online events organized by advocacy groups or organizations working to raise awareness about parental alienation. You can attend webinars, workshops, or virtual rallies.

Write to your elected representatives: Write to your elected representatives, such as senators or members of congress, to urge them to support legislation aimed at preventing parental alienation and protecting the rights of children and families.

Host a discussion: Organize a discussion with your friends, family, or community about parental alienation. You can discuss how it affects families, ways to prevent it, and resources available to those who have experienced it.

Volunteer with a local organization: Volunteer with a local organization that supports families affected by parental alienation. You can donate your time or resources to support their work.

Remember, raising awareness about parental alienation is crucial to preventing it and protecting the well-being of children and families.