Coparenting with a Narcissist: How to Protect Your Peace and Your Kids - with Heather Wolfe

In this enlightening conversation, Heather Wolfe shares her extensive experience in social work and her insights into co-parenting with a narcissistic partner. She discusses the challenges faced by parents in high conflict situations, the importance of understanding narcissism, and practical strategies for managing these relationships. Heather emphasizes the need for documentation, building a support network, and self-care for non-narcissistic parents. The conversation also covers the nuances of parallel parenting and navigating the court system, providing listeners with valuable tools and hope for their situations.

Learn more about Heather Wolfe at: https://www.empoweringsh.com/

Check out Heather's book, Practical Co-Parenting With a Narcissist on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1069226807

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Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/Np0AoDt7fjQ

Takeaways

• There's a lot of high conflict in co-parenting situations.
• Narcissism is often misunderstood and under-recognized.
• Documentation is crucial in high conflict cases.
• Self-care is essential for non-narcissistic parents.
• Parallel parenting can help reduce conflict.
• Narcissistic supply can come in various forms.
• It's important to have a good support network.
• Children need to learn about boundaries and healthy relationships.
• Extracurricular activities can help children cope with stress.
• Don't give up; there is hope for a better future.

Keywords

co-parenting, narcissism, high conflict, child custody, emotional abuse, support network, parallel parenting, self-care, documentation, family court

Sound Bites

• "Narcissism is a global issue."
• "This book will give you hope."
• "You can't control anyone."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Co-Parenting and Narcissism

01:53 Understanding Narcissism and Its Impact

02:51 Identifying Narcissistic Traits in Co-Parents

05:07 The Checklist for Recognizing Narcissism

06:39 Narcissistic Supply Explained

07:09 Strategies for Reducing Narcissistic Supply

14:28 Building a Support Network

16:52 Navigating Family Dynamics and Support

17:19 Understanding Parallel Parenting

18:11 The Court's Perspective on Parenting Styles

20:42 Documenting Evidence for Effective Co-Parenting

22:13 Recognizing the Impact on Children

23:37 The Importance of Self-Care for Co-Parents

23:50 Practical Self-Care Strategies

25:47 Myths About Co-Parenting with a Narcissist

26:33 Modeling Healthy Relationships for Children

27:17 What to Stop Doing Immediately

28:31 Grieving the Loss of Idealized Co-Parenting

29:51 Messages of Hope for Overwhelmed Parents

What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond