Life may be a little rocky if you live in Georgia and you’re parting ways with a narcissist. Breaking up is challenging enough, but life can get downright hectic when you have kids and are battling someone with an irreparable mental health condition.
Qualities of a narcissist
Believe it or not, we’re all a bit selfish. Our species couldn’t survive if we weren’t. But some people are saddled with extreme cases. Rooted in childhood trauma, narcissistic personality disorder is a vicious passenger. It causes individuals to:
- Rely on manipulative tactics
- Demand loads of attention
- Lie, cheat and steal
- Make life miserable for those in their immediate orbit
- Become violent when things don’t go their way
What can you anticipate when co-parenting with a narcissist? Prepare for a fight, and expect them to:
- Demand an excessive amount of information about everything
- Make scenes at drop-offs and pick-ups
- Make a nuisance of themselves during your time with the children
- Grill the kids about what goes on when they spend time with you
- Ignore the custody agreement
- Play the victim
Seeking professional advice
What should you look for in professional help when trying to hammer out a child custody agreement with a narcissist:
- Experienced
- Good communicator
- Great listener
How do you win?
The key to prevailing over a narcissist is patience and emotional control. Furthermore, make sure you document everything and keep it organized. When separating from a narcissist, there’s a better than average chance you’ll find yourself back in court more than a few times.
Yes, sharing custody with a narcissist can be like an MMA fight. But if you train, perfect your moves, and get the right support team, you may just come out on top.