There are many things that you might have to do when you divorce a narcissist. If you have children with a narcissist, there are many things that are going to continue after the divorce is final. Coming up with a plan for handling a narcissistic co-parent is imperative.
One of the primary things you must do is realize that the narcissist thrives on dysfunction. They want things to be stressful, so they can get a rise out of you. Being able to take steps to avoid this can benefit you.
Why does a narcissist want to get a reaction?
The reactions the narcissist gets from people around them, particularly their victims, gives them a sense of power. In a way, it helps to fuel their behaviors. One of the best ways that you can prevent them from getting power from you is to have all communication go through your attorney or through a method that enables you to veil your emotions from them.
How can a narcissistic parent impact the children?
Narcissistic individuals don’t realize the emotional toll their antics have on others. This can put the children in a precarious position, especially if they don’t realize what’s happening. The kids might notice that something’s amiss. While you can’t really shield them from this, you can help them learn how to protect themselves and how to process the emotions that come with dealing with a narcissistic parent. Empathy can go a long way here.
The parenting plan terms are one of the best tools that you have when you’re co-parenting with a narcissist. This outlines the legal requirements that each parent has, so work closely with your attorney to determine what to include.