Is It Really Parental Alienation? How to Recognize the Signs and Protect Your Family | Amy J.L. Baker, PhD

One day your stepchild is excited to see you and your spouse... and the next they're distant, angry, or refusing visits altogether. Is it normal family conflict? Is it the stress of divorce? Or could it be parental alienation? In this episode, Cameron sits down with internationally recognized researcher and author Amy J.L. Baker, PhD, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in divorce and blended families. Together, they discuss what parental alienation really is, how it differs from legitimate estrangement, and what parents and stepparents should know if they suspect someone is interfering with a child's relationship with the other parent. Dr. Baker also explains her evidence-based Five-Factor Model, common parental alienation strategies, and how stepparents can support their partner without making an already difficult situation worse. ### In this episode, you'll learn: - What parental alienation actually is, and what it isn't - The difference between alienation and justified estrangement - The Five-Factor Model used to identify parental alienation - Common strategies that can damage a parent-child relationship If this episode encouraged or helped you, please share it with another stepmom, parent, or blended family who may need to hear this conversation. ### Resources Mentioned Amy J.L. Baker, PhD: https://www.amyjlbaker.com/  Adult Children of Parental Alienation Syndrome by Amy J.L. Baker Ready to feel less alone in your stepfamily journey? Join thousands of stepmoms at the FREE 2026 Stepmom Summit for expert advice, real conversations, and practical tools to help you thrive: https://thestepmomsummit.com/  Free Resource: 10 Essential Scripts for Stepmoms: https://stepfamilycertification.com/stepmom-scripts   ### Love The Stepmom Diaries? Please consider rating and reviewing The Stepmom Diaries on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps the show grow and reach more blended families who need honest conversations like this one.