 and praise. Similarly, anyone in the real world who challenged her or threatened to expose her fantasies was totally ostracised. I could go on, but the issue I'm trying to raise is to what extent are these common warning signs of alienation and what can be done to deal with the issues before it gets to the stage that the marriage breaks down? We did try Relate at one stage but that just papered over the cracks and let us limp along for a few more years, but I had no idea of the storm that would be unleashed after we split and (in her eyes) I challenged her authority as a mother by daring to want to continue to be a hands on father. There is no way she would ever go near your clinic because the last thing she wants is someone who might see through the charade. The well meaning but inept mediators we did see fell for her stories hook line and sinker. Now my fear (or is it hope?) is that one of our daughters will get to an age and maturity when they see through her. What happens if they challenge her? My hope is that they will return to me, but my fear is that they will feel unable to do so. When we were splitting up I remember them saying to me "Mummy is telling lies about you" and I told them not to worry about it because people say silly things when they are upset. Two years later they couldn't conceive of Mummy being anything other than perfect and me being anything other than horrible. LikeLike Reply karenwoodall says:  00 Apr 0000 at 0