(in all but the rarest cases)
The physical act of living somewhere else is often traumatic for the child.  Add to it all the misery fighting parents can create and the child is not only abandoned but also further traumatized by one or both parents.  These acts of mental torture can continue for years.

Verbal Abuse of Absent Parent

• When both parents are immature, the child hears derogatory comments about the child's loved one from both sides
• Parents talk bad about the other parent to the child
• Child hates hearing the put downs about loved one
• Child knows that money and expensive presents are to cover the guilt
• Child learns to manipulate parent, especially when parent is using drugs
• Child is acutely aware of the behavior changes when a parent is using drugs
• Parents fight to make each other miserable but the one who suffers the most is the child who loves them both

• Stopped paying support and Mom complains to child
• Money is very tight without support and pressure is felt by child
• You are blamed for not receiving child support
• Siblings or step siblings hold it against you
• Child is forced to call parent and ask for money

• Custodial parent refused visitation
• Parent voluntarily stopped visitation
• Parent remarried and won't exercise visitation rights
• Parents fight over visitation
• When child visits they are left with a baby sitter
• Step parent or most recent person they are dating is the child care giver
• Police action to enforce visitation rights

• Takes child to work and makes them sit still
• Never plans alone time with just the two of them
• Never just goes to the park or for a walk or talk about the future
• Never takes time to visit
• Non-custodial parent is boozing all the time
• Non-custodial parent hides from child because of hard drug use
• Non-custodial parent is at the bar all the time
• Non-custodial parent leaves visiting child with sitter

• Continuing custody fights
• Minute details
• Non-Custodial Parental Kidnap of Self or Sibling
• Ongoing Custody Battles
• Court Appearances
• Psychiatrists interviews
• Doctors exams
• Accusations of child sexual abuse
• Attorney interviews with child
• Court appointed attorney for child
• Then they fight over wedding details