Which concept describes the situation when Mom points out Dad's parenting shortcomings to the children?

The scenario where Mom points out Dad's parenting shortcomings to the children is best described by the concept of split filial loyalty. This occurs when children feel torn between two parental figures due to one parent criticizing or undermining the other. This dynamic can lead to the children feeling loyalty toward both parents, but also feeling conflicted as they may feel pressured to take sides or defend one parent over the other.

Split filial loyalty can create significant emotional distress for the children, as they may perceive their love and loyalty to one parent as being in opposition to their relationship with the other parent. This situation can interfere with their development and affect their relationships within the family system. The act of one parent criticizing the other in front of the children disrupts the parental alliance and can lead to complications in the family dynamics.

In contrast, the other concepts mentioned do not accurately capture this specific situation. Emotional cutoff refers to a withdrawal or distancing that individuals may enact in relationships, often used to manage unresolved issues, but it does not apply to the scenario of publicly criticizing another parent. Triangulation involves a third party being pulled into a conflict between two others, but here, it's primarily about one parent's criticism of the other. Invisible loyalties refer to undetected obligations or ties