A Kidnapped Mind: A Mother's Heartbreaking Memoir of Parental Alienation

The author thinks she was a great, loving mother to her son, whom was alienated from her. It's about how hard she tried to save him.The book was shocking to me, so it entertained me. But it also was frustrating. Not one person in this story, Mom included, did not abuse this boy. I include Canadian Family Court, which I was not familiar with. Everyone was mess, leading to a tragic ending.If you want to read an interesting story, read it. I was very angry as I read it. I know Mom thinks she had her sons best interests in mind but she kept putting him right in the middle of things so that SHE could see her son more. The judicial system was a hot nightmare. And the father was also selfish.The mother's final solution for Dash was to give him to The Troubled Teen industry's residential schools, known for their abuse and being shut down. Read about Elan in Maine.An interesting story but it made me shudder.

I couldnt believe the first three chapters could have been written by me, it was exactly what I have been going through. It scared me to think my sons could end up in the same situation.. I learned somethings, and hope to use them to help rescue my kids from the same. My ex is not a alcoholic but he is an angry personal had has done everything the could to ruin my sons' view of me. He has somewhat succeeded with my own 16 yr old, but I have my talons tight into my 10 yr old... I will not allow my ex or my 16 yr old to take away what we have, I am lucky that I still see my 10 yr old, but I have not seen my 16 yr old except at court for almost 2 yrs. Pamela gave me a lot to think about and she showed me it wasn't just me, as a mother everyone looks at you and wonders how you don't have your kids, and she showed me that their has to be a grace to deal with that and that even when you are crushed and you feel the world imploding on you that you must stay strong cause you are all your kids have!! The book was an easy read and I couldn't put it down. I pain for Pamela, and thank her for showing me what can happen and hopefully her story will inform Judges and such what could really happen and maybe impact decisions that hopefully will protect children, I am going to send this book to the 2 judges I have dealt with anonymously and hope it enlightens them! Thank you Pamela.. I wish I could contact you via email, you are one of a rare few I know who knows what PAS is.

I read this book a few years ago when I was in the midst of my own battle with PAS (Parental Alienation Syndrome). This book is an eye-opening look at the potential reality for any parent left out in the cold with no help in sight from the court/legal systems. That was also my story. Oftentimes, nobody will help, and many of the people in our court system and legal system as as corrupt and/or uncaring about the needs of children as the day is long.I agonized with Richardson, because so many of my own battles mirrored her own. I have also encountered other parents who faced the worst possible outcome of this injustice, just like Richardson did. Please, if you are a parent in an extreme PAS situation, keep looking for help until you find it. Dr. Richard Warshak has contributed some very powerful and helpful works on this topic with his book "Divorce Poison," and his video, "Welcome Back Pluto" (for kids of PAS). You can also contact him through his website for information on how to get help. BEING PASSIVE IN THIS SITUATION WILL NOT WORK. You have to get aggressive and fight for the lives of your little ones when they are too vulnerable and naive to know what's happening to them.Pamela Richardson if you read this, my heart has been united to yours in sorrow since I read your story about 8 years ago. Much love sister. I believe you will see your precious son again, and all the time lost will be given to you many times over.

And true, it hit too close to home. Every GAL, attorney, judge, social worker, psychologist, and teacher, anyone who works with children in this age, must read this book.

This book wonderfully lays out facts, details and the real physical and emotional struggle when you are faced with PAS and how the court system enables aleinators.I am from Vancouver, so reading it was a familiarity for me, not only due to the location but due to the fact my ex husband alienated my 2 adult children from me. He told me if I divorced him he would do whatever it took to ensure my beloved adult children had nothing more to do with me. I was naive. I felt that no one could turn a child from their mother, I have since learned that is far from the truth. When the intent to discredit and destroy the other parent is strong they will stop at nothing. Pamela, I am deeply sorry for your loss. We who have lost know there is no closure but the reality of living with loss and making a life with those around us, like walking in two worlds. Those of us that have walked this route could have a Ph. D in Compartmentalizing Life. Thank you for writing this book. I know the courage it takes to stand up over and over and attempt to do the right thing and in the end you lose.Parents who alienate their children from the other parent are narcissistic and lack empathy for other human beings.

Personally dealing with parental alienation, this was a tough read. Beautifully written.

This book describes the details of PAS and its damaging legacy to our children. My favorite quote" dealing with PAS is like having a full time job "I think this should be made into a movie to reach a larger audience in order to educate the masses of how damaging the old boys network can be, while doing someone a favor without knowing all sides of a story. Who is it who said the pathway to hell is paved with good intentions? I know people who are paid in tne child protective services to perpetuate this horrible pathology and in the court system and it absolutely pains me to think how much effort is needed to turn PAS around. Please share this story and don't stop sharing.

Very sad and tragic story. But I’m glad she shared it to help make awareness of PAS and the failure of the court system for our children.

This is a heartwrenching, true account of a loving and devoted mother's quest to help her son through years of alienation enacted by his father. This is told through a grief-stricken mother's experiences of fighting the legal system for years to provide her and her son a chance at having a stable and loving relationship. From a mother myself who is going through a similar ordeal, the writer's account gives voice to any mother's truest and purest love for her child, and an endless quest to save their child from emotional and psychological instability. The writer's underlying devotion to her son never lets up despite incredulous odds and endless setbacks. Above all, it is a story of the belief and hope in the power of the biological bond that binds child to parent. Will this be enough to save her son from what has happened to him?Cafcass officers, social workers and judges in the UK need to read this book to understand how damaging this is to alienated children and families if not recognised and stopped swiftly and effectively. Still in 2020 UK courts have a long way to go in ensuring the protection of children in these devastating circumstances. This poor mother was failed so many times because the legal system could not recognise what was happening despite all the mounting evidence and impact it was having on this poor boy - one that the UK system could learn from. A painful experience alienated parents and children face daily. Parental alienation needs to be a criminal offence in every country, worldwide.

The story of Dash has gripped my heart. I'd never heard of this syndrome,PAS,but I recognize it now I've read the havoc it can cause to a child.

Thank you for sharing this amazing touching story. The author opened herself up to put on paper this excrucial pain that to many of us go through in silence. Parental Alienation is something that people need to understand. It is truly a crime against our children and humanity.

I, myself, am an alienated parent. The fact that this is allowed to go on and ignored by a great number of Judges is appalling. My heart goes out to Pamela and her family as well as all the other families wrongfully being put through a failing system. What happened to "children need to have relationship with both of their parents to be happy and well adjusted.

A brave account of a mother trying to put her son's needs first but being constantly misunderstood and undermined. The idea of shared care is laudable but unless it is underpinned with a support structure for the parents and the child, there is no assurance the child will experience both parents in his or her life. A child should never be put in a position where they are forced to choose between parents, nor should parents deny their children the opportunity to know both parents. Sadly I speak from experience and I would encourage all parents who are divorcing to love their children more than they hate each other. I have no idea how this can be enforced but Pamela Richardson's experience would have been an unimaginably difficult account to write and I speak from experience. PAS needs to be formally recognised. Hopefully this will inspire others to action. This book is a courageous tribute.