Navigating Parental Alienation: A Conversation with Children 4 Tomorrow - Ep 20

On Cases and Cocktails (Episode 20), hosts Bryan and Janice Eggleston welcomed Dwilene Lindsey and Jayna Haney from Children 4 Tomorrow, a Houston-based organization dedicated to healing families impacted by high-conflict custody battles and parental alienation. Here’s a recap of their powerful discussion—perfect for April's Parental Alienation Awareness Month.

Understanding Parental Alienation

Parental alienation—a harmful form of psychological child abuse—occurs when one parent manipulates a child to reject the other parent without justification. Bryan and Janice explored this complex issue with Dwilene and Jayna, who shared how Children 4 Tomorrow helps families recognize and repair these toxic dynamics through their Complex Family Assessment and Treatment Program.

The Children 4 Tomorrow Approach

Founded in 2009, Children 4 Tomorrow began by offering counseling for children but quickly realized that without addressing parental behavior, progress was limited. Their program now includes:

• In-Depth Forensic Assessments: A 400–600 hour review of family communications (texts, emails, court records) to identify alienation patterns.
• Structured Family Sessions: A one-day, in-person evaluation where parents and children interact in a supportive, neutral setting—often the first time estranged families reconnect.
• Court-Ready Reports: Detailed 35–40 page assessments guide judges with tailored recommendations, such as specialized therapy, parenting facilitation, or even "electronic detox" for screen-dependent kids.

Why Their Work Stands Out

As Bryan noted, "This is a unique program—I haven’t seen anything like it in Texas." High-conflict cases often leave judges and attorneys struggling to address underlying issues. Children 4 Tomorrow bridges this gap by:

• Providing courts with clear, evidence-based insights into family dynamics.
• Using therapeutic techniques to reintroduce alienated parents and children safely.
• Offering low-cost counseling through supervised graduate interns, making healing accessible.

Personal Stories Behind the Mission

Both guests shared deeply personal connections to their work:

• Jayna Haney (founder of The Bridge Across) experienced co-parenting challenges after her own divorce and saw a lack of resources for blended families.
• Dwilene Lindsey, who authored Revealing the Scars, used gardening analogies to explain parental alienation’s roots—inspired by her own family’s journey through loss and reconciliation.

"Healthy parents create healthy children," Dwilene emphasized, highlighting their holistic approach.

How to Seek Help

• Visit: children4tomorrow.org
• For Families: Work with your attorney to request a court-ordered assessment.

Final Thoughts

As Janice reflected, "Co-parenting is hard—even for well-intentioned people." At The Eggleston Law Firm, we commend Children 4 Tomorrow for their innovative solutions and urge families to seek early intervention.

For legal guidance in high-conflict custody cases, contact our team. Don’t miss future episodes of Cases and Cocktails—subscribe for more Texas family law insights!