Is My Co-Parent a Narcissist? Warning Signs, Boundaries & How to Protect Your Kids
Description
🎧 Listen to this episode if…
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You constantly walk away from conversations with your ex feeling drained, confused, or second-guessing yourself.
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Co-parenting feels more like a battleground than teamwork.
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You suspect your ex might be narcissistic or manipulative, but you're not sure what to do about it.
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You want to learn how to protect your children emotionally while staying calm and in control.
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You're tired of being baited into fights and want tools to respond, not react.
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses family violence, coercive control, and trauma recovery.
📌 Disclaimer: This episode is for general information and education only. Please seek your own legal, psychological, or medical support for your specific circumstances.
https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au/disclosurechecklist
💻 The Divorce Course Free Resources
https://www.thedivorcecourse.com.au
What You'll Learn: Is My Co-Parent a Narcissist? Warning Signs, Boundaries & How to Protect Your Kids
💔 Recognising the Signs:
Mia explains how narcissistic or high-conflict co-parents reveal themselves — through blame-shifting, entitlement, image obsession, and control.
⚖️ The Court Reality Check:
Lyn shares why using the word "narcissist" in court can backfire — and how to instead describe their behaviours (the "ingredients" rather than "the cake").
🧱 Setting Boundaries That Stick:
How to stop being pulled into chaos, manage constant conflicts, and accept "who you're dealing with" so you can regain power.
🧒 Protecting the Kids:
Red flags to watch for in how your ex uses or manipulates the children — and how to model calm, consistent parenting when they don't.
💬 Parenting Teenagers of Narcissistic Exes:
Mia and Lyn dive into the tricky years — when kids start echoing their narcissistic parent's behaviour — and how to hold firm without turning into your ex.
💪 Your Healing & Hope:
Why the most powerful move isn't "winning" against your ex — it's rebuilding your self-trust, removing their emotional "buttons," and staying in your own lane.
🔗 Guest Expert
Mia from Grey Rock Consulting — https://www.greyrockconsulting.com.au/
Lawyer, founder, and Australia's first certified Master High Conflict Negotiation Coach (trained by Rebecca Zung).
Mia helps clients and lawyers navigate high-conflict personalities with strategy, clarity, and self-preservation.
⏱️ Episode Timeline –
00:00 — Intro: Are You Co-Parenting with a Narcissist? Signs to Watch For
00:34 — Meet Mia from Grey Rock Consulting: Expert in Narcissists & High-Conflict Exes
02:11 — What Narcissistic Co-Parenting Really Looks Like (and Why It's So Draining)
13:51 — How Narcissistic Co-Parenting Affects Kids Emotionally and Psychologically
18:25 — Setting Boundaries with a Narcissist: Staying Calm & In Control
21:49 — What to Include (and Avoid) in Parenting Orders or Plans
26:22 — Custody Chaos: When Your Narcissistic Ex Twists the Rules
26:45 — Unexpected Changes & Power Plays: How to Handle Parenting Plan Disputes
27:32 — Dealing with Difficult Co-Parents Who Refuse to Cooperate
29:12 — Emotional Recovery: Healing After Narcissistic Abuse
29:53 — When to Push Back (and When to Let It Go) in Co-Parenting Conflicts
35:08 — Teenagers & Narcissistic Parents: What to Do When Kids Mirror the Ex
37:38 — Maintaining Boundaries, Consistency & Emotional Safety at Home
40:39 — Becoming the Positive Role Model Your Kids Need
43:22 — Focusing on You: Self-Growth, Strength & Rebuilding Confidence
46:44 — Where to Get Help: Support, Counselling & Co-Parenting Resources
49:15 — Final Thoughts: Finding Freedom from a Narcissistic Co-Parent
Related Episodes:
Is it emotional abuse?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bSCQ3JdcU4xxW7D4LJUxG?si=VV8mR7aYS7uJYstTMYwZvg
Post Divorce Glow Up
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7JoSZEPWiMgM1N1G1C6WSU?si=HDBpOPXqTnmzzrIudA16tQ
Divorcing an abuser
https://open.spotify.com/episode/21TpYbC15VJt9lnb82Ub13?si=lonuOpx8Q22ZRrKKbArc0g
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4P1DjaMtXTq2sbel4qywew
🎙️ The Narcissist Playbook
https://open.spotify.com/episode/00kTon70LllVE97X8zn9vK
🚨 Support Services (Australia):
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1800 RESPECT – Family Violence Support
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Lifeline 13 11 14 – Crisis Support
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Police – Call 000 if you are in danger
⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses family violence, coercive control, and situations that may feel unsafe.
📌 Legal Disclaimer: This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice. Please seek your own legal support for your specific circumstances.













