By CASSANDRA MICKENS/Associate Editor

CHELSEA — With April being Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven has proclaimed April 20-26 as Parental Alienation Prevention Week and April 25 as Parental Alienation Awareness Day.

Niven issued the proclamation during the Chelsea City Council’s regular meeting March 18 as Kenneth Paschal, director of government affairs for the Alabama Family Rights Association, looked While addressing the council, Paschal said “alienation is the worse form of child abuse” and awareness is the first step toward change.

“Child Abuse and Prevention and Awareness Month is a time to emphasize that our children are innocent and deserve the leadership of the adults around them to ensure their health, wellness and safety,” Paschal said.

According to the Parental Alienation Awareness Organization, parental alienation deprives children to be loved by and showing love for both of their parents and extended family. Parental alienation can occur in intact families, but is mostly seen in separated and divorced families.

“Children should be encouraged to freely love each of their two parents regardless of their parents’ marital status,” Paschal said.

Paschal asks the public to spend at least 10 minutes of their day at noon April 25 “blowing bubbles for love” anywhere people are present. Parental Alienation Awareness Day is observed in conjunction with Bubbles of LOVE Day — a reminder for families that love cannot and should not be contained, Paschal said.

“Just as bubbles flow freely, so should the love a child has for both parents,” Paschal said.

For more information, visit Paawarenessday.com.