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.

How do you tell family or friends there’s a narcissist in your life — especially when you’re still trying to make sense of it yourself?

In this episode of Strings Attached: Surviving the Narcissist, we talk honestly about one of the most painful stages of narcissistic abuse recovery — the moment you realise something isn’t right, and the fear of speaking it out loud.

Whether you’re dealing with a narcissistic partner, narcissistic parent, or toxic family system, explaining emotional abuse to people who haven’t experienced it can feel isolating, invalidating, and even re-traumatising.

We explore:

• How to talk to family about narcissistic abuse

• Why people may defend or minimise narcissistic behaviour

• The reality of trauma bonding within family systems

• What to do when you’re not believed

• Setting boundaries with narcissistic parents or partners

• Protecting yourself emotionally after disclosure

• Why emotional and coercive abuse is often misunderstood

• How to build a safe support network during narcissistic abuse recovery

This episode is grounded in lived experience. We don’t diagnose. We focus on patterns, impact, and emotional safety.

If you’re questioning whether you’re overreacting…
If you’ve been told “that’s just how they are”…
If you’ve tried to explain narcissistic behaviour and felt dismissed…

You’re not alone.

We also share practical boundary strategies for survivors in different healing phases — whether you’re newly aware (The Spark), detaching (The Scorchline), or rebuilding your life after abuse (The Embers and The Rise) .

This is a space for survivors of narcissistic abuse, emotional manipulation, trauma bonding, gaslighting, and toxic family dynamics.

Emotional safety matters. Your experience is valid.

🎧 Listen now and take the next step in your healing.

🕒 Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & Why This Conversation Is So Hard
Why speaking up about narcissistic abuse feels risky and exposing.

05:10 – Do You Even Need the Label “Narcissist”?
Why focusing on patterns and impact matters more than diagnosis.

12:30 – Telling Family & Friends: What We Expected vs Reality
Why disclosure can lead to minimisation, defence, or disbelief.

20:45 – When Family Side With the Narcissist
Understanding trauma bonding within family systems.

28:15 – What If They Don’t Believe You?
Self-validation, protecting your nervous system, and choosing safe people first.

35:20 – Practical Boundaries After You Speak Up
Limiting exposure, one-on-one contact, and protecting yourself from group dynamics.

42:00 – Building a Support Network That Actually Helps
Why safe community matters in narcissistic abuse recovery.

46:30 – Closing Reflection: Emotional Abuse Is Real Abuse
Why your experience deserves seriousness and support.

In this episode of Strings Attached, Noah and Rose discuss the challenging yet essential decision of going low or no contact with narcissistic individuals.They explore the emotional journey involved, practical tips for implementing these boundaries, and the importance of self-care during this process.

The conversation highlights the complexities of family dynamics, societal pressures, and the role of flying monkeys in maintaining toxic relationships.

Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the significance of prioritizing one's mental health and well-being in the face of narcissistic abuse.Chapters

00:00 Understanding Low and No Contact

03:27 The Emotional Journey of Going No Contact

08:19 Practical Tips for Low Contact

11:35 Navigating the Transition to No Contact

16:34 Implementing No Contact: Challenges and Strategies

21:02 Societal Pressures and Cultural Expectations

27:15 Navigating Family Dynamics and Boundaries

34:26 Understanding the Role of Flying Monkeys

44:07 Coping with Emotional Reactions

49:46 Practical Tips for No Contact

57:31 The Journey to Healing and Self-Respect

59:25 Outro