Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

 

 

 

Parenting with a narcissistic ex is difficult at the best of times.

So here we are. Christmas co-parenting with  a person with narcissistic personality disorder is tough — really tough. It sucks balls, and it’s hard.

Leaving the kids for visits can be heartbreaking.

However, unless you have a court order stating otherwise, it’s something you have to do.

I’d be stunned if you had the court order. People with narcissistic personality disorder charm lawyers and have no problem telling lies. We have a legal system, not a justice system.

Many of us have been through this, and many of my clients likely do it. So I thought I’d write a short guide on how to make the impact on your mind, body, and soul as small as possible.

Let’s get right to it.

It’s so close to Christmas that I’ll try to make it as short and easy to remember as possible. When we’re around a narcissist, we all know that we start to question ourselves, and our brain might leave the building to cope. Hello, my good friend Dissociation.

Keep this on your phone and look at it before, during, and after the kids visit with your ex:

1. You have to do this.

Even if you don’t want to. It’s better not to spend precious time and energy trying to work out how this all happened. Do one thing at a time and try to avoid overthinking. You can’t understand your ex’s behaviour because you’re not a narcissist. Yay, no amount of over-analysing will help, so try to stop yourself from doing it.

2. Remember, you are the adult.

Possibly the only actual functioning adult in the whole sh*tshow.

3. You absolutely need to be willing to look at your way of thinking and behaviour.

I know you don’t want to be affected by the Narcissist. “Be stronger.” “HTFU.” All that stuff. But you’re not that kind of person. My guess is you’re highly sensitive, and you need to see that this is a strength. It’s also not something that changes — it does not happen. What we can change, though, is how we react.

4. In my experience, it will never be easy to co-parent with a person with narcissistic personality disorder.

But please, please give yourself credit for divorcing or leaving them. You took a giant step toward removing their influence from your life. Champion.  

5. Realise that their number one goal is to get your attention.

Highlight this.

6. Assuming you’ve spent enough time with them to have the kids, they have had exposure to your attention.

They become addicted to that attention, and they want more of it — positive or negative attention. Narcissists don’t care — any attention is good attention. This is an important thing to remember. You were the narcissist’ narcissist supply. The only way to break this pattern is to not give them any attention.

7. Set boundaries about how you communicate.

This can feel strange, and perhaps even childish, or mean the first few times, but you have got to trust me with this — do it. Here are a few hints: they must use a reasonable tone (they often don’t understand this request), it must be about the kids, and/or they must have a valid reason for contact. All three boxes need to be ticked, or no response from you.

8. Give yourself time to think about how you will respond.

Never respond immediately, because this is what they want: your immediate attention or reaction. You’re more likely to react emotionally if you do it too quickly. And we don’t want to give a Narcissist any emotional ammunition. Show a friend, allow your feelings to subside, and answer briefly and with facts. Then, if they come back at you, repeat your initial reply — over and over.

9. If you don’t want to speak with them on the phone, I’d highly recommend you don’t — set up an email address specifically for them, and only check it when you feel up to it.

Tell them that this is the method of communication you want. It’s great to have a record of your conversations anyway. You can check back and see that it’s not you who is the crazy one.

10. Don’t count on anything they say or promise.

They are not trying to co-parent. Although, if other people are around, they sure as hell will make it look like they are the parent from heaven.

11. Do what’s best for you.

I’m relatively sure they will ask to change plans — power games. Don’t change them if it doesn’t suit you. Previously, they agreed to these plans. The first time you say no is the hardest. Say no. Do not explain. You don’t owe them an explanation. No ammunition. No attention.

12. Accept that you can depend on them for nothing.

Full stop. End of story. Mic drop.

13. Validate your kid’s feelings.

I am sure I don’t have to remind you, but do this without judging your ex in front of them — no matter how old your kids are. It’s a heartbreaking truth that when you aren’t there, your ex might use your kids to meet their selfish needs. But, again — unless you have a court order — you can’t change this. You can only control what happens at your house.

14. Therefore, you need to make your home an emotionally safe place for your children.

15. Don’t spend even one second worrying about what other people might think or have been told.

Even mental health professionals struggle to spot a person with narcissistic personality disorder. They are charming and have been practising this their whole lives.

16. If anyone is being abused, this must be reported immediately. 

No ambiguity here.  No questioning yourself.  Please seek help and report the abuse.  Take a friend. 

17. You are the leader here.

Don’t ask them questions. Don’t ask their opinion. Instead, do what works for you.

18. Protect yourself and your resources (time and energy) by changing your thoughts and behaviours.

Expend as little time and energy on the Narcissist as possible. Don’t get caught up in fear, obligation, or guilt. These are their tools of the trade. I know it’s hard to imagine now, but doing this is worth it, and it gets easier. So stop and check if you feel any of these three things, and realise that it’s not real.

19. You cannot stop this.

Your kids need you. You need you. I know you worry and will miss them, but plan ahead. Find things that you love to do. Plan things that nurture you. You got this.

Please see a therapist if you need to. Everyone in this situation needs reassurance that they are not “crazy” or overreacting. Tell a good friend. Have someone on speed dial or text. This is not something you can do alone. And most of all, never, ever beat yourself up for getting into this situation.

Remember that your children have a safe space that you created for them. Make sure to be gentle with yourself. This, too, shall pass.

I have 50 free ready-to-use-right-now Boundary Setting Statements for you. Click the link below and they will fly to your inbox right now. Pick a few — pop them on your phone and let me know how you go. Can’t wait to hear.

Click to Download Your Free Boundary PDF

If you’d like some help this Christmas, let’s book some time to come up with the strategy perfect for your situation at https://alifeinperfectbalance.com/bookingpricing