Co-parenting with a narcissist? Let’s not kid ourselves — that’s a losing game. At best, what you can do is parallel parenting with tight boundaries and all the legal armor you can muster.
Because here’s the deal: a narcissist isn’t satisfied unless they’re calling every shot, setting every rule, and pulling all the strings. So what’s it like being stuck co-parenting with one, and is there any way to make it less of a disaster?
Traditionally, co-parenting has meant bringing any trusted adult into the fold to help support and raise kids. But since the ’70s, the term has taken on a new life when it comes to separated parents.
Today, co-parenting ideally lets both parents stay involved and actively coordinate the child’s care — appointments, school, babysitting, medical needs — without needing to be in each other’s pockets.
It’s all about raising kids together while respecting each other’s independence. But a narcissist? Respect isn’t even in their vocabulary. And they’d rather see you exhausted than empowered.
