5 powerful Mindset shifts for navigating your co-parenting relationship with a narcissist | Nicole Weston Life & Trauma Conscious Coach for Moms
Co-parenting with a narcissist can make it feel downright impossible at times. It's tough to maintain your sanity and keep moving forward when you're dealing with someone who is never wrong, never takes any responsibility for their own actions, and always puts themselves first.
Navigating a co-parenting relationship with a narcissist is difficult, here are my 5 mindset shifts to help you get through it. Nicole Weston Life & Trauma Conscious Coach for Moms, specializing in helping moms heal from narcissistic relationships.
Co-parenting with a narcissist can make it feel downright impossible at times. It's tough to maintain your sanity and keep moving forward when you're dealing with someone who is never wrong, never takes any responsibility for their own actions, and always puts themselves first.
If you're co-parenting with a narcissist, you know how difficult it can be. The constant emotional manipulation, the never-ending mind games, it can all take a toll on your mental and emotional health. But there is hope. Here are 5 mindset shifts that can help you navigate your co-parenting relationship with a narcissist.
Your emotions do not define your worth , they are indicating what you need.
When in a fight or flight response you must meet your needs first.
Implement the “pause” and give yourself 1- 25 hours to respond to your co-parent.
How you feel matters and your emotions must be processed and released.
Asking for help because the community can change everything.
1. Your emotions do not define your worth.
When you're constantly being put down by your narcissistic co-parent, it's easy to start believing that their words are true. But they're not. Your worth is not defined by your emotions. They are simply indications of what you need. I encourage you to begin taking note of what you need. For example, you notice how you are speaking to yourself is harsh and not kind. So, you decide to practice being kind to yourself while you get ready in the morning. A small practice and consistency can radically transform how you feel about yourself.
2. When in a fight or flight response, you must meet your needs first.
It's natural to want to please the narcissistic co-parents in order to avoid their wrath. But in doing so, you often sacrifice your own needs. This can lead to you feeling resentful and unfulfilled. When in a fight or flight response, it's important to remember that you must meet our own needs first and foremost. So begin with what do you need? This can often be a hard question to answer. Start with compassion for you first because you have never done this before and it will take practice.
3. Implement the "pause."
It's easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment when arguing with a narcissist. I want you to have the power back in your hands and that will involve you pausing for you first. This step builds on assessing your needs and meeting them first.
For example, ground rules for communication look like only via email and can take up to 24 hours to respond. This will give you the time and space to regulate your nervous system, meet your needs, ask for help and connect with yourself to ensure you feel congruent with the ask. Alos, everything is now documented.
4. How you feel matters and your emotions must be processed and released.
Do you have a practice for releasing anger, fear or sadness? This is your opportunity to meet your needs. Take some time to reflect on what release will feel safe for you. Emotions are energy in motion and this mindset is key when co-parenting. So, I often encourage clients to scream into a pillow, cry in the shower and give yourself permission to move the energy. Your emotions do not define your worth or value, they are indicating what you need.
5. Asking for help because a community of like minded moms will change everything.
Sharing your everyday experiences with a friend who isn’t co-parenting with a narcissist can often leave you feeling disconnected. This isn’t anything against your friend, however they just don't know what it can be like. But, when you are in a community of moms who know and are willing to do it differently, you will immediately have your needs met. You will feel supported and empowered.
If you're co-parenting with a narcissist, know that you are not alone. There is hope. You can make shifts in your mindset that will help you navigate this difficult relationship. If you need more help or support, please subscribe to my mailing list below for free access to my 30 minute training on how to co-parent with a narcissist.
Let’s Connect for a free 15 minute connection call: Book a call:
Subscribe to my Podcast: Redefine & Align
Join me on Instagram:@thenicoleweston
