10 YR.OLDS MENTAL HEALTH!

MY QUESTION IS -WHAT CONSTITUTES MENTAL ABUSE FOR A 10 YEAR OLD CHILD?WE HAVE JOINT CUSTODY OF MY STEPSON. WE WENT TO COURT ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO TO SETTLE ALL OF THAT. JUST RECENTLY HOWEVER THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING THAT HAS RAISED MUCH CONCERN FOR HIS SON.HIS MOTHER ,FOR ONE HAS BROUGHT THE CHILD INTO DISCUSSIONS ABOUT COURT , LAWYERS,ETC.BETWEEN HERSELF AND HIS FATHER[MY HUSBAND].THIS IN RETURN LEAVES HIM SCARED TO DEATH THAT SHE IS GOING TO KEEP HIM FROM SEEING HIS FATHER.WE HAVE NOTICED THAT HIS GRADES ARE DROPPING&WE BELEIVE THAT CERTAIN THINGS HE HAS BEEN PUT IN THE MIDDLE OF MAY BE TAKING OVER HIS CONCENTRATION THAT SHOULD BE PUT ON CHILD THINGS.WE DO NOT BRING ANY OF THIS TO ATTENTION NOR DO WE OR HAVE WE EVER THREATENED VISITATION WITH HIS MOTHER.WE FEEL THIS COULD BE VERY HARMFUL FOR HIM NOT ONLY UPSETTING. THAT IS NOT THE ONLY THINGS SHE DOES THAT WE FEEL ARE A MENTAL STRAIN TO HIM BUT THE LIST GOES ON &ON&ON. BELEIVE ME.I AM JUST GOING TO IN A LIST PUT A FEW DOWN PLEASE TELL ME WHAT DOES IF ANY. THANK YOU.
PULLING HIM FROM ONE ROUTINE TO ANOTHER,MAKING HIM CHOOSEBETWEEN FAMILIES,THREATNING REMOVAL FROM FATHER,THREATING COURT,ETC.
TALKING HIS FATHER DOWN- AND THE LIST GOES ON & ON .

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Audoo,

Children often, unfortunately, are the recipients of the repercussions of animosity between divorced parents. We know that children of divorced parents can adjust well to the extent that their parents enjoy a positive post-divorce relationship. When there is ongoing and chronic conflict and tension, children undoubtedly suffer.

Since your stepson appears to be in a very stressful situation, it would be wise to seek professional help for him. Such assistance can help the child adapt to the stressful circumstances, and the clinical guidance can also assist parents in responding to the situation.