Having to raise children with your ex isn’t always going to be easy. You have to think carefully about how you handle every situation. Unfortunately, some people are going to face even greater challenges during this process because they were married to a narcissist.
Trying to work through the negotiations that are necessary for co-parenting can seem like a nightmare when you’re dealing with a narcissist. These individuals can’t take other people’s needs into consideration, so they only focus on what they think is best for themselves. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work well when you have a child custody situation.
Don’t show emotions
One of the most important things that you need to remember when you’re dealing with a narcissist is that they feed off of your emotions. When they’re lying or trying to make the situation unbearable, you have to take a step back, so they don’t see how they’re impacting you. Using a parenting app or having the communication go through your attorney might be beneficial here, so your ex never sees your emotions.
Document everything you can
Narcissists are known for living in their own reality, which might be markedly different from actual reality. You should keep clear documentation of everything when you’re dealing with one. This could mean receipts for things you purchase that require reimbursement. It may also mean that you need to keep copies or recording of all communication.
Your attorney can help you learn how to protect your interests when you’re dealing with a narcissist. Be sure you let them know if your ex has a narcissism diagnosis since this might alter how they handle various points of the child custody case.