{"id":34047,"date":"2019-02-08T10:31:04","date_gmt":"2019-02-08T10:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=34047"},"modified":"2023-02-11T05:54:09","modified_gmt":"2023-02-11T05:54:09","slug":"dealing-with-a-narcissist-co-parent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/mental-health\/dealing-with-a-narcissist-co-parent\/","title":{"rendered":"Proven Ways in Dealing with a Narcissist Co-Parent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Proven<\/p>\n

Having a complete family is something we’ve all been dreaming about. However, there can be many circumstances that can lead a family in separate ways and the best approach in raising your kids is through co-parenting. <\/span><\/p>\n

This is a good way for both parents to still stay in the lives of their children sharing the responsibility of raising a child. <\/span><\/p>\n

We all understand the value of having both parents raise a child but what if your co-parent is a narcissist? <\/span><\/p>\n

Are there even proven ways of dealing with a narcissist co-parent?<\/b><\/p>\n

<\/span>A true narcissist – personality disorder<\/span><\/h2>\n

We’ve heard the word narcissist too many times and most often, it’s being used for people who are too vain or too much self-absorbed. It may have been popularized by some of the minor traits of a narcissist but it’s not the real meaning of the term.<\/span><\/p>\n

A real narcissist is far from being just vain or self-absorbed, rather he is someone who has a personality disorder and should be treated as such. People who are diagnosed with a Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD are those people who operate their day to day lives with the use of manipulative ways, lies, and deceit.<\/span><\/p>\n

They can’t maintain an <\/span>intimate relationship with their spouses<\/span><\/a> and even their children because of their deceitfulness, lies, having no empathy, and their inclination to be interpersonally abusive. <\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, not all people can be diagnosed with this disorder because they can mask their symptoms with the outside world. Sadly, it’s their closest friends and family who knows this and will experience how destructive narcissists are.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>What is a narcissist parent?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It’s really a challenge <\/span>dealing with a narcissist partner<\/span><\/a> but what can you do if you already have children? Are there ways in dealing with a narcissist co-parent? Is it even possible to have them stay in a relationship with their children despite their personality disorder?<\/span><\/p>\n

A narcissistic parent is someone who sees their children as puppets or even as competition.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They will not allow them to surpass their level of self-entitlement and will even discourage them with their personal development. Their only priority is how great they are and how they can get the entire attention even if causes the family to suffer.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the scariest situations you can ever get into is realizing that your spouse is a narcissist.  <\/span><\/p>\n

How can you allow your children to be brought up by someone who has a personality disorder? Decisions will weigh in very heavy with this situation. Most often than not, a parent would still choose to allow co-parenting hoping that there’s a chance that their narcissistic partner would change.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Is co-parenting with a narcissist even possible?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It’s very important that in any kind of relationship that we have, we must learn to identify the red flags especially when your gut tells you that something is not normal. <\/span><\/p>\n

It’s different when we try to work out our relationships with our spouses but dealing with them as co-parents is a whole new level. No parent wants their <\/span>children to grow up with an abusive environment<\/span><\/a> let alone be able to absorb the same mindset as their narcissistic parent.<\/span><\/p>\n

If ever the co-parent decides to stay, there are still factors to consider because the burden of making co-parenting work out will be a big responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n