Tell me if this sounds familiar:

• Your ex is nothing but argumentative when it comes to parenting your child.
• You oftentimes give in to their demands to avoid a fight or conflict.
• They make you feel like the worst parent in the world – and sometimes you believe them.
• Your ex turns everything you do and say against you.
• They try to turn your child against you.

Did I hit the nail on the head? That’s because I have been through this.

And more.

When I became pregnant, I knew I was in an unhealthy relationship – I just didn’t know what to call it. I was unhappy, frustrated, and confused.

I left my ex early in the pregnancy, knowing that I could not – and would not – raise my child in a toxic environment.

I realized then that nothing was going to change, and I had to leave.

Leaving wasn’t easy, and for a long time, I endured constant abuse and harassment from my ex – during the pregnancy as well as during the first years of my daughter’s life.

I didn’t know how to handle the situation. Arguing and defending myself only made the situation worse. I was at a total loss.

But once I figured out what I was dealing with, I could change my strategies.

From there, I figured out how to control my responses, create boundaries, and parent with him in a way that was far less stressful.

Is my situation perfect? Of course not!

But it is better  – which is more than I ever thought I could have hoped for in the beginning.

Back when this blog was focused on general information for moms, I started writing about narcissism.

The response I received was overwhelming!

Moms everywhere were dealing with the same thing and looking for information and support.

When I started emailing and messaging these moms, I realized that it was time to focus on this issue and share my knowledge and experience.

Surprisingly, I do have a life apart from being a parent…

I am a freelance writer and blogger.

My favorite substance is coffee. Bean juice make me wake up.

When I do have some time to myself, I enjoy true crime documentaries, off-beat fiction, and playing games on the PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

I was once chatting with a gent online who was learning how to play the drums. I know half a song on the recorder, but when I suggested we team up to become the next Jethro Tull, I never heard from him again.

I live with my daughter and three cats whom we used to refer to as “the boys” but then found out the youngest is, in fact, a girl. We also have a hedgehog who I call a “Grumpy Prickly Boy” because, in general, he hates people – and there are days when I feel that.