💡Quick answer: You can encourage your baby daddy to treat you with more respect by setting clear boundaries, communicating calmly, refusing to engage with disrespectful behavior, and keeping your co-parenting relationship focused on your child. You can’t make your...

Are you banging your head against the wall trying to figure out how to parent with a toxic ex??? I've been there, and I know how frustrating and upsetting the whole ordeal can be! But once I figured out I was dealing with a toxic ex, I started to learn about how to...

💡What to document: If you notice a pattern, keep track of the date, what happened, what was said, how it affected your child, and any screenshots or written proof. Don’t just write “they were manipulative.” Write the specific behaviour, such as “changed pickup time...

💡What to do instead: Stop trying to make the relationship feel fair, reasonable, or emotionally mutual. Focus on structure. Use written communication, clear boundaries, documented agreements, short responses, and routines your child can count on. The less you rely on...

It's not easy explaining the complexities of human behavior to a child. Especially when those behaviors are controlling and manipulative. And coming from their other parent. I know I've written about how to explain a toxic parent's behaviors to a child, but if your ex...

💡What gaslighting can sound like: A gaslighting co-parent may say things like, “I never agreed to that,” “You’re making this up,” “You’re too sensitive,” or “The kids never said that.” When this happens, avoid arguing over memory. Go back to the written record when...

💡Quick answer: A toxic co-parent creates repeated conflict, confusion, pressure, or emotional stress around shared parenting. One bad day does not automatically make someone toxic, but patterns like manipulation, constant blame, ignored agreements, using the child as...

Do you want to learn more about parallel parenting with a narcissist? Are you confused about the difference between parallel parenting and co-parenting? I love writing for this blog and providing you with as much information as I can on parallel parenting, toxic...

Protecting your child from a toxic co-parent is one of the hardest parts of this whole mess. While you're trying to limit communication, reduce conflict and keep yourself from getting stressed out, your child is kind of caught in the middle. And it's hard to watch the...

Narcissistic parents can have a hugely negative affect on their children's emotional, psychological and social development. This is especially true when it comes to narcissistic fathers and their daughters. Yes, I know, moms can be narcissistic too and sons are not...

You know how poorly your toxic ex treated you, so you're probably wondering: How do toxic parents treat their children? It can be hard to know when your ex keeps everything behind closed doors. Unless you are there during their visitation and access, it's impossible...

Is your child asking questions about their toxic parent? At some point, they will start to recognize bad behavior, even if they don't fully understand what it means. Explaining it is tough because, on one hand, you want to be honest with your child, but on the other...

Co-parenting is hard enough when everyone’s playing fair, but throw a toxic ex into the mix, and it can feel like you’re constantly putting out fires. If you’re the step-parent in this situation, you’re probably stuck in the middle—trying to support your partner,...

Sometimes co-parents are downright toxic and sometimes they're just bitter. Neither is an excuse for making co-parenting difficult. But knowing what you're dealing with can make handling the situation so much easier. Have you ever looked at your child and wondered if...

Does it feel like co-parenting with your ex is simply impossible? When I started co-parenting, I had no idea what to expect. I knew my ex would be difficult, but I couldn't predict the degree to which he would purposefully make my life hell in the process (even ten...

Co-parenting with a toxic ex can feel like a never-ending emotional rollercoaster—one you didn’t sign up for and can’t get off. Some days, you’re holding it together like a pro, and other days, it feels like all you can do is survive the chaos. I’ve been there, and I...

Toxic co-parenting can make simple things feel completely exhausting. A quick question about pickup time turns into an argument. A reasonable boundary becomes a personal attack. Somehow, every problem becomes your fault, even when you weren’t anywhere near the...

While I was co-parenting with a narcissist, I sometimes wondered if my child had picked up any of their father’s traits. It’s not that I think my child is narcissistic, but I’d be lying if I said I haven’t worried about the impact it might have on them. Recognizing...

As a single mom who has navigated the rocky waters of co-parenting with a narcissistic dad, I've learned firsthand how challenging it can be. It's not just about handling the practical side of things - it's also about managing the emotional rollercoaster that comes...

💡What counter-parenting can look like: Counter-parenting may show up as undoing rules, mocking your routines, refusing to share information, encouraging your child to ignore expectations, or turning normal parenting decisions into power struggles. The goal is often...

Are you dealing with a difficult co-parent? Or is he just a bitter baby daddy? When a relationship ends, it’s normal for there to be some bad feelings hanging around. Breakups are messy, people get hurt, and sometimes they act like assholes for a while. That doesn’t...

Co-parenting with a narcissist is one thing, but how can you make sure their nonsense doesn’t negatively impact your child? While narcissistic parents can have a negative impact on children, there are ways to protect them from long-term effects. In this article, I’m...

💡Documentation checklist: Keep records of missed payments, partial payments, payment dates, written agreements, requests for reimbursement, receipts, school or medical expenses, and any messages about money. Avoid relying on verbal promises. If child support is...

Are you struggling to co-parent with your ex-partner? Have you tried being reasonable and civil but they continue to act manipulative and controlling? I know how frustrating it can be and what it’s like to feel like there is no support or solution. Family court will...

When you’re having a difficult time communicating with your co-parent, coordination with professionals like therapists, teachers, and lawyers can seem impossible. I know what it’s like parallel parenting with a narcissist, and I know what it’s like to try and share...

Are you co-parenting with a narcissist? How do you know? I remember when I first started co-parenting with my ex. It was so hard, and the stress and confusion led me to depression. Then I started learning about narcissism, and my situation started to make sense. It...

When you’re trying to co-parent with a narcissist, you can employ all of the parallel parenting tactics you can, but at the center of your efforts is the need to protect your child from their narcissistic parent. Unless your ex is causing harm to your child, such as...

Parallel parenting is often the best way to deal with a difficult or toxic co-parent. In a nutshell, it involves limiting communication and focusing on your own parenting in order to reduce conflict. It's an alternative to co-parenting that helps when the other parent...

When I was working on the second edition of my book You Can't Co-Parent With a Narcissist: A Guide to Parallel Parenting, I reached out to this community and asked if there was anything more I could include, and there were a few requests for how to parallel...

The term “narcissism” on this blog refers to a pattern of traits and behaviour. It is not intended to diagnose narcissistic personality disorder. When I started learning about parallel parenting and eventually wrote a book about it, I realized that dealing with a...

When you’re raising a child with a toxic or narcissistic co-parent, the possibility of emotional abuse has probably crossed your mind. Maybe your child comes home acting differently. They may seem anxious before visits, suddenly become desperate to keep everyone...

As the author of a book on parallel parenting, I understand the complexities of navigating challenging family dynamics. And as someone who has been through it, I understand the complexities of dealing with a narcissistic ex. Narcissistic traits, characterized by...

Parallel parenting is a type of co-parenting that is useful when two parents can't get along or avoid conflict. While it's not a legal document, a parallel parenting plan can help set up expectations and keep everyone accountable. While a court order is best when...

Adolescence is a transformative and challenging period, not only for teenagers but also for their parents. As you deal with the absolute rollercoaster ride of raising a teenager, co-parenting can add a few twists and turns, potentially leading to high-conflict...

I think one of the most amazing side effects (so to speak) of parallel parenting is the opportunity to raise resilient kids. Think about it this way: As you are struggling to find a more cohesive way to deal with a difficult or narcissistic ex, you are becoming...

💡Parenting plan sabotage checklist: Track missed exchanges, late pickups, refused visits, denied calls, last-minute changes, ignored holiday terms, unpaid expenses, and messages that contradict the agreement. Include dates, times, screenshots, and how the issue...

💡What helps most: You may not be able to control what the other parent says or does, but you can give your child one calm, steady home where their feelings are believed, adult conflict is not placed on their shoulders, and they don’t have to manage either parent’s...

When it comes to parenting with a narcissistic ex, your child can, unfortunately, get thrown into the middle of the conflict. Sometimes, one parent will use the child by turning them against the other parent. In extreme cases, this is called "parental alienation" and...

When you break up with a partner, it's normal for bad feelings to float around for a bit. But when things don't settle, and you find your ex being manipulative and controlling, you may be dealing with a narcissistic co-parent. Especially if there are patterns of...

💡Quick answer: You can encourage your baby daddy to treat you with more respect by setting clear boundaries, communicating calmly, refusing to engage with disrespectful behavior, and keeping your co-parenting relationship focused on your child. You can’t make your...

Are you banging your head against the wall trying to figure out how to parent with a toxic ex??? I've been there, and I know how frustrating and upsetting the whole ordeal can be! But once I figured out I was dealing with a toxic ex, I started to learn about how to...

💡What to document: If you notice a pattern, keep track of the date, what happened, what was said, how it affected your child, and any screenshots or written proof. Don’t just write “they were manipulative.” Write the specific behaviour, such as “changed pickup time...

💡What to do instead: Stop trying to make the relationship feel fair, reasonable, or emotionally mutual. Focus on structure. Use written communication, clear boundaries, documented agreements, short responses, and routines your child can count on. The less you rely on...

It's not easy explaining the complexities of human behavior to a child. Especially when those behaviors are controlling and manipulative. And coming from their other parent. I know I've written about how to explain a toxic parent's behaviors to a child, but if your ex...

💡What gaslighting can sound like: A gaslighting co-parent may say things like, “I never agreed to that,” “You’re making this up,” “You’re too sensitive,” or “The kids never said that.” When this happens, avoid arguing over memory. Go back to the written record when...

💡Quick answer: A toxic co-parent creates repeated conflict, confusion, pressure, or emotional stress around shared parenting. One bad day does not automatically make someone toxic, but patterns like manipulation, constant blame, ignored agreements, using the child as...

Do you want to learn more about parallel parenting with a narcissist? Are you confused about the difference between parallel parenting and co-parenting? I love writing for this blog and providing you with as much information as I can on parallel parenting, toxic...

Protecting your child from a toxic co-parent is one of the hardest parts of this whole mess. While you're trying to limit communication, reduce conflict and keep yourself from getting stressed out, your child is kind of caught in the middle. And it's hard to watch the...

Narcissistic parents can have a hugely negative affect on their children's emotional, psychological and social development. This is especially true when it comes to narcissistic fathers and their daughters. Yes, I know, moms can be narcissistic too and sons are not...

You know how poorly your toxic ex treated you, so you're probably wondering: How do toxic parents treat their children? It can be hard to know when your ex keeps everything behind closed doors. Unless you are there during their visitation and access, it's impossible...

Is your child asking questions about their toxic parent? At some point, they will start to recognize bad behavior, even if they don't fully understand what it means. Explaining it is tough because, on one hand, you want to be honest with your child, but on the other...

Co-parenting is hard enough when everyone’s playing fair, but throw a toxic ex into the mix, and it can feel like you’re constantly putting out fires. If you’re the step-parent in this situation, you’re probably stuck in the middle—trying to support your partner,...

Sometimes co-parents are downright toxic and sometimes they're just bitter. Neither is an excuse for making co-parenting difficult. But knowing what you're dealing with can make handling the situation so much easier. Have you ever looked at your child and wondered if...

Does it feel like co-parenting with your ex is simply impossible? When I started co-parenting, I had no idea what to expect. I knew my ex would be difficult, but I couldn't predict the degree to which he would purposefully make my life hell in the process (even ten...

Co-parenting with a toxic ex can feel like a never-ending emotional rollercoaster—one you didn’t sign up for and can’t get off. Some days, you’re holding it together like a pro, and other days, it feels like all you can do is survive the chaos. I’ve been there, and I...

Toxic co-parenting can make simple things feel completely exhausting. A quick question about pickup time turns into an argument. A reasonable boundary becomes a personal attack. Somehow, every problem becomes your fault, even when you weren’t anywhere near the...

While I was co-parenting with a narcissist, I sometimes wondered if my child had picked up any of their father’s traits. It’s not that I think my child is narcissistic, but I’d be lying if I said I haven’t worried about the impact it might have on them. Recognizing...

As a single mom who has navigated the rocky waters of co-parenting with a narcissistic dad, I've learned firsthand how challenging it can be. It's not just about handling the practical side of things - it's also about managing the emotional rollercoaster that comes...

💡What counter-parenting can look like: Counter-parenting may show up as undoing rules, mocking your routines, refusing to share information, encouraging your child to ignore expectations, or turning normal parenting decisions into power struggles. The goal is often...

Are you dealing with a difficult co-parent? Or is he just a bitter baby daddy? When a relationship ends, it’s normal for there to be some bad feelings hanging around. Breakups are messy, people get hurt, and sometimes they act like assholes for a while. That doesn’t...

Co-parenting with a narcissist is one thing, but how can you make sure their nonsense doesn’t negatively impact your child? While narcissistic parents can have a negative impact on children, there are ways to protect them from long-term effects. In this article, I’m...

💡Documentation checklist: Keep records of missed payments, partial payments, payment dates, written agreements, requests for reimbursement, receipts, school or medical expenses, and any messages about money. Avoid relying on verbal promises. If child support is...

Are you struggling to co-parent with your ex-partner? Have you tried being reasonable and civil but they continue to act manipulative and controlling? I know how frustrating it can be and what it’s like to feel like there is no support or solution. Family court will...

When you’re having a difficult time communicating with your co-parent, coordination with professionals like therapists, teachers, and lawyers can seem impossible. I know what it’s like parallel parenting with a narcissist, and I know what it’s like to try and share...

Are you co-parenting with a narcissist? How do you know? I remember when I first started co-parenting with my ex. It was so hard, and the stress and confusion led me to depression. Then I started learning about narcissism, and my situation started to make sense. It...

When you’re trying to co-parent with a narcissist, you can employ all of the parallel parenting tactics you can, but at the center of your efforts is the need to protect your child from their narcissistic parent. Unless your ex is causing harm to your child, such as...

Parallel parenting is often the best way to deal with a difficult or toxic co-parent. In a nutshell, it involves limiting communication and focusing on your own parenting in order to reduce conflict. It's an alternative to co-parenting that helps when the other parent...

When I was working on the second edition of my book You Can't Co-Parent With a Narcissist: A Guide to Parallel Parenting, I reached out to this community and asked if there was anything more I could include, and there were a few requests for how to parallel...

The term “narcissism” on this blog refers to a pattern of traits and behaviour. It is not intended to diagnose narcissistic personality disorder. When I started learning about parallel parenting and eventually wrote a book about it, I realized that dealing with a...

When you’re raising a child with a toxic or narcissistic co-parent, the possibility of emotional abuse has probably crossed your mind. Maybe your child comes home acting differently. They may seem anxious before visits, suddenly become desperate to keep everyone...

As the author of a book on parallel parenting, I understand the complexities of navigating challenging family dynamics. And as someone who has been through it, I understand the complexities of dealing with a narcissistic ex. Narcissistic traits, characterized by...

Parallel parenting is a type of co-parenting that is useful when two parents can't get along or avoid conflict. While it's not a legal document, a parallel parenting plan can help set up expectations and keep everyone accountable. While a court order is best when...

Adolescence is a transformative and challenging period, not only for teenagers but also for their parents. As you deal with the absolute rollercoaster ride of raising a teenager, co-parenting can add a few twists and turns, potentially leading to high-conflict...

I think one of the most amazing side effects (so to speak) of parallel parenting is the opportunity to raise resilient kids. Think about it this way: As you are struggling to find a more cohesive way to deal with a difficult or narcissistic ex, you are becoming...

💡Parenting plan sabotage checklist: Track missed exchanges, late pickups, refused visits, denied calls, last-minute changes, ignored holiday terms, unpaid expenses, and messages that contradict the agreement. Include dates, times, screenshots, and how the issue...

💡What helps most: You may not be able to control what the other parent says or does, but you can give your child one calm, steady home where their feelings are believed, adult conflict is not placed on their shoulders, and they don’t have to manage either parent’s...