Being married to a narcissist is challenging, and that challenge doesn’t stop when you divorce them if you share children. Co-parenting with a narcissist requires you to remain observant of what’s going on and to act cautiously.
You can do a few things that may make the situation with the narcissist less stressful. Consider implementing these into your co-parenting.
1: Never show emotions
One of the hallmarks of narcissism is that they gain power by getting others to react. If you don’t show them emotion, you can take away that power. Try to stay on an even keel when you’re around your ex. You can always react when you’re away from them.
2: Watch what you say
Never badmouth your ex. Always keep things respectful and positive. They may not do the same, but it will go a long way on your behalf if you’re able to show that you’re remaining calm and focusing on the children.
3: Document everything
Narcissists tend to live in their own reality, which means that they will try to twist everything to suit their needs. It’s best for you to document everything you can related to the children. Consider using only written communication with your ex and keeping receipts for important things. You may need these if your ex starts making false claims against you.
Creating a parenting plan as quickly as possible after you split up is best. Because your ex is narcissistic, this plan should be as comprehensive as possible. Set it up based on what the kids need now since you can modify the plan as those needs change.