The Divorced Parent and Narcissism

The Divorced Parent and Narcissism

The games of a manipulating parent are inexhaustible as long as there is still room to play them. What cannot be imaginable for many an outsider is that the child should be put into battle to terrorize the other parent. Certain standard beliefs make the narcissist's behavior not perceived as what it actually is. For example, that a child at all times would be better off having contact with this manipulating parent. With healthy parents this is true, but when there is narcissism you may wonder if this is the best thing for the child.

Stoking the child against the healthy parent is a standard narcissist trick. They do this in many ways. Common is to lash out at the healthy parent, which the healthy parent does not want to share with the child naturally so as not to burden the child with loyalty conflicts. The narcissist knows that. However, this concealed behaviour can lead to the fact that the healthy parent has to set limits for their own safety and that of the child.

The narcissist then responds to play with the victim against the child. Because the narcissist is playing with the child's loyalty conflict. In many cases, the result is that the child becomes angry at the healthy parent with all the consequences that entails.

Court games are also common. Constantly but again disagree with agreements made, just because it is possible. All the time, money and energy that needs to be put into the narcissist is what matters. Not to the child or the outcome of these sessions.

Manipulating with non-payment of alimony, or deliberately not coming to an appointment with the child, in order to be bothered by the healthy parent knowing that the healthy parent can be most affected by tormenting the child.