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How can I co-parent with a narcissist?

On Behalf of | Jun 11, 2020 | Child Custody | 0 comments

There are a myriad of documented advantages concerning co-parenting for children. Children do best when both of their parents are actively raising them, even in the event that the parents are no longer married and do not cohabitate.

However, this does not mean that co-parenting is easy on the parents. Particularly if your ex-spouse is a narcissist, continuing to associate with them and trying to raise children with them can be very difficult. However, there are ways to make it work. According to Healthline, setting boundaries is an absolute must if you are co-parenting with a narcissist.

How can I set effective boundaries?

If your ex-spouse is a narcissist, you are likely familiar with the way they feed off of the energy of others. This may lead to your ex-spouse being hard to get along with simply to upset you. This is where enlisting a third-party can help when setting boundaries.

With a narcissistic ex-spouse, you may benefit from a legal parenting plan. Hiring a lawyer to create a legal parenting plan is an extra expense, but if your narcissistic ex-spouse tries to push against boundaries, you can invoke the law. Having a third party involved with setting boundaries can help ensure that the boundaries stay firm.

How can I communicate effectively?

Many couples find it easier to communicate in the written medium rather than the spoken one. In the case of a narcissistic ex-spouse, this will give you time to calm down if something they write causes you to react emotionally. Also, if the communication is in writing, there is no forgetting what you both agreed upon prior.