Marrying and divorcing a narcissist is rough, but co-parenting with a narcissist is almost impossible. The demands, attacks, threats, and attempts to inflict guilt are so skillful, they rattle a parent, sabotaging his or her mental health.

However, awareness of the narcissist’s dysfunctional tactics protects the parent struggling in this situation. Once these relational patterns are identified, it is easier to co-parent with a narcissist.

Tips

1. Expect nastiness and ignore.

Backhanded comments and character attacks are a narcissist’s favorite pastime. Expecting these attacks prepares a person. They become easier to ignore.  Otherwise, when a narcissist blindsides you, it feels like an emotional slap in the face, which evokes a knee-jerk reaction. This is the narcissist’s goal. They want to elicit an emotional response, so they can accuse you of being “out of control.”