Co-Parenting with a Narcissist:
3 Useful Tips
When a person divorces a narcissistic spouse, it’s recommended that they cut all communication with their ex. This is often necessary for the victim as it allows them to restart and move forward with their life. However, sometimes removing all contact with them isn’t possible, especially if children are involved in the divorce. These situations are difficult as the narcissistic person will still want to hold power and control over their ex-spouse and children.
3 Laws Named After People
In order to stay in control of their life, decisions, and the needs of their children, a parent should follow several key communication methods.
THREE C MODEL Communication is key when it comes to co-parenting and must be approached carefully with a narcissist. Following this three C model makes communication concise, calm, and constructive. It’s important to use a calm tone of voice to keep the conversation respectful. Be sure there is a concise message in the conversation to stay on track and not allow language to turn against the parent. Constructive language is also important to keep the conversation as positive as possible and keep negative tones and emotions at bay. STAY FACTUAL Typically, a narcissist will attack the other parent to get an emotional reaction from them. When they see an emotional reaction, they will use those emotions against the other person to manipulate them. Practicing assertiveness in any interaction with a narcissist allows a parent to be direct and stick to the facts of the case. It ensures the conversation will stay logical and keep any emotional reactions to a minimum. SET BOUNDARIES One of the most important steps an ex-spouse can take against a narcissist is to set boundaries for themselves. Don’t tell a narcissist more than they need to know. A good practice to follow is to treat the co-parenting relationship as a business. A parent’s business is to ensure their child is taken care of, and every conversation they have with their narcissistic ex-spouse should reflect that. Keep interactions focused on “business” so the ex-spouse is less likely to engage with them on a personal level.
That All Americans Should Know Perusing a list of federal laws may read like a yearbook of crime history. Bills introduced in Congress are often named after the victims of horrific crimes, greed, and exploitation to honor those victims. Below are three such laws. Each has made a lasting impression on society and culture. THE ADAM WALSH CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFETY ACT The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act was signed in 2006 — 25 years after 6-year-old Adam Walsh was abducted from a Florida shopping mall. Adam’s body was found 16 days later, and his father’s reaction to his son’s horrific death impacted generations of victims. His father, John Walsh, went on to create the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and hosted the popular TV show “America’s Most Wanted” for 23 years. The act created a three-tiered categorization for sex offenders, designated requirements for registering as a sex offender, and included a provision that requires offenders to report their whereabouts. THE MUHAMMAD ALI BOXING REFORM ACT Boxing is a tradition that stretches back to the early Egyptians, but it wasn’t until 1999 that Congress took action to protect these heavyweight fighters from greed and exhaustion. The Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act — known as the Ali Act — sought to protect boxers from promoters who took advantage of sports bets to make a quick buck. Experts identified many unethical business practices that put boxers in danger and stripped them of their rights to payment. The act was signed into law on May 26, 2000. Though it bears the name of famed boxer Muhammad Ali, there are no explicit ties to him, but the boxer did fervently support the bill in Congress. Kari’s Law In 2013, Kari Hunt Dunn was killed by her estranged husband in a hotel room in Texas. Her daughter, who witnessed the event, knew to call 911 but was unaware that she had to dial 9 first to make an outbound call. Kari’s parents sought to change that by advocating for Kari’s Law, which was introduced in the Texas legislature in 2015. The law was signed into effect nationwide in 2018. It mandates that hotels, businesses, and other multi-line phone operating systems can no longer require dialing a 9, or any other number, prior to making a 911 call.
It can be difficult to co-parent with a narcissist, but we can help should those difficulties become harder to cope with. Call the Bruce Law Firm today for a consultation.
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