Co-parenting with a narcissist can feel like an impossible emotional balancing act. When no contact isn’t an option, how do you protect your children, set healthy boundaries, and regulate your nervous system — while dealing with manipulation, control, gaslighting, and conflict?

In this episode of Strings Attached: Surviving the Narcissist, we explore the reality of co-parenting with a narcissistic ex, including:

• Why traditional co-parenting strategies often don’t work with narcissistic personalities

• The shift from cooperative co-parenting to parallel parenting

• Communication boundaries that reduce conflict and emotional manipulation

• How to handle handovers without escalating tension

• Protecting your child without bad-mouthing the other parent

• Managing guilt when you’re labelled “difficult” for setting boundaries

• What to do when even parallel parenting becomes unworkable

We also talk about trauma responses, nervous system regulation, and how to stay emotionally steady when you’re tied to someone who thrives on control.

If you’re navigating narcissistic abuse recovery, high-conflict divorce, or parenting with a narcissistic ex-partner, this episode offers grounded, practical tools rooted in emotional safety — not blame.

00:00 – Welcome & Why Co-Parenting With a Narcissist Feels So Different
04:30 – Why “Just Be Civil” Doesn’t Work With Narcissistic Personalities
09:15 – The Emotional Toll: Fight-or-Flight & Nervous System Exhaustion
15:40 – What Is Parallel Parenting? (And Why It Protects Your Peace)
22:10 – Communication Boundaries That Actually Work
30:25 – Handling Guilt When You’re Called “Difficult”
35:50 – Managing Handovers Without Escalation
44:15 – Protecting Your Child Without Bad-Mouthing the Other Parent
50:30 – When Even Parallel Parenting Feels Unworkable
55:00 – Final Reflections: Staying Steady for Your Child & Yourself

In this episode we cover:

• Co-parenting vs parallel parenting

• Setting boundaries with a narcissistic ex

• Reducing conflict through structured communication

• Protecting children from loyalty conflicts

• Managing guilt, manipulation, and emotional baiting

• Nervous system regulation during high-conflict interactions

• Narcissistic abuse recovery while still co-parenting

You are not failing. You are navigating something genuinely difficult.

For deeper support, practical tools, and survivor community:

🌿 Visit narcissistrecovery.com
📩 Join our email list for grounded recovery guidance
📱 Follow us on Facebook & TikTok for daily education on narcissistic abuse, trauma bonding, and boundaries

You’re not alone. Emotional safety matters. Healing is possible.