Psicoterapia Soteldo
A Person-Centered Approach to Healing from Narcissistic Abuse and Codependency
by Raquel Soteldo RP
A Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician
(343) 312-5283
Parenting Coach: Co-parenting with an Antagonist / Narcissist
Co-Parenting Coach
I work with parents who are separated, divorced or in the process of co-parenting their children but having difficulties in the co-parenting relationship. As your Co-parenting coach, I will work with all adults in the family system, focusing on conflict resolution and communication. We can start by developing a co-parenting plan that fosters a healthy and positive relationship between both parents while keeping the child's needs central. I can also help you in the journey of communication and conflict resolution once a co-parenting plan is already in place, with sessions aimed at a common understanding and awareness of the psychological needs of the children and the adults in the family system.
My role as a co-parenting coach involves:
1
Providing guidance to parents on how to communicate effectively and respectfully with each other to help create a supportive and resolvable solution for their children.
2
Helping parents to resolve disagreements regarding parenting plans and decisions without prejudice or bias, keeping the child's long-term interests in view.
3
Building future-oriented communication and problem-solving skills to promote constructive conflict resolution and foster co-parenting mutual understanding.
4
Offering education and resources on various aspects of co-parenting, including separation and divorce issues, age-related developmental challenges and effective communication skills.
5
Supporting parents to improve their co-parenting relationship and develop a secure, respectful and stress-free environment for themselves and their children.
Co-parenting coaches work with parents through individual coaching sessions, group coaching, and online courses. They provide structure, support, and accountability to help parents progress and strengthen their co-parenting relationship. The goal of a co-parenting coach is to work with both parents to establish a healthy co-parenting relationship that helps to provide the best possible environment for their children's healthy development, often enhancing overall well-being and mental health of the whole family.
Co-parenting with a narcissist can present significant challenges as narcissists can be difficult, unreasonable, or volatile. They tend to be self-centered and lack empathy, which may affect their ability to prioritize their child's needs over their own. However, with the right strategies, co-parenting with a narcissist can be made manageable to reduce stress and limit harm to children. Below are some tips to help navigate co-parenting with a narcissist:
Set clear boundaries:
It's essential to set clear boundaries with a narcissist when co-parenting. Maintain consistent communication, communicate directly and avoid over-sharing of information.
Focus on the child:
The focus of every co-parenting relationship should be the well-being of the child. Try to avoid getting into arguments with the narcissist or engaging in negative interactions or discussions that do not benefit the child.
Keep written communication:
Keeping a written record of all communication with the narcissist is important. If any disputes arise, there is physical proof of correspondence.
Seek support:
Co-parenting with a narcissist can be mentally draining. It's important to seek support from friends, family, or co-parenting support groups.
.png){kind=small}
Establish firm rules:
Set firm rules and guidelines for co-parenting, especially if the narcissist is unreliable or inconsistent.
Get Professional help if needed:
Consider seeking the help of a therapist, mediator, or co-parenting coach, particularly in situations when communication breaks down and personal safety is at risk.
It’s essential to remember that managing co-parenting with a narcissist can be challenging, but by focusing a child’s best interests, setting clear boundaries and seeking out professional support where needed can help alleviate and reduce the stress of the situation.