A divorce is one of the most unpleasant experiences for any married couple. Some married couples decide mutually to end their marriage amicably.
However, this is not the case for most divorce cases. The impact is more intense when you have children. If one of the parents has narcissistic tendencies, the battles will be fiercer and the children are at risk of becoming pawns.
Narcissistic parents are notorious for using their children as tools in their divorce.
They will use their children as leverage and manipulate them to get what they want. They will also not hesitate to use their children as emotional support, making them feel like they must pick sides.
This behavior can be emotionally damaging to a child and have lasting effects. It will not be easy, so we will guide you in this article to help you navigate a custody battle against a narcissistic parent.
What Is a Narcissist?
As the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5), defines it, someone with narcissistic personality disorder involves an inflated sense of self-importance and an overwhelming need for admiration and extreme admiration.
They have an exaggerated view of their abilities and accomplishments, often overestimate their importance, and require excessive attention and admiration from others.
They firmly believe they are unique, deserve to be treated differently than others, and are often preoccupied with fantasies of greatness and power.
The Impact
A narcissistic parent can make creating a custody agreement a complex process.
Such a person may feel they are the best option for the child and contest full custody. Even if a person is not officially diagnosed with narcissism, some traits of the disorder might be shown during divorce or custody hearings.
For example, this may include insulting the other parent or isolating the child. Knowing if a narcissist is present in the case may be helpful to a parental rights lawyer, which can be determined by evaluating the situation.
Engaging in a Custody Battle against a Narcissistic Parent
Protecting a child from a narcissistic parent is no different than it is for any other parent. Both parties must reach a mutual agreement on the custody arrangement and then present it to a court for approval, or they can battle it out in court and let a judge decide.
However, a narcissistic parent may attempt to gain custody rights for their own selfish reasons, such as seeking to create a power imbalance in their favor over the other parent. Ultimately, the courts are only inclined to grant custody to those who will put the child’s welfare first, meaning a narcissist may be prevented from achieving this.
Children need a safe and nurturing home where their needs come first. When a parent always puts their children’s well-being on the back burner, the child suffers unnecessarily.
Narcissists will do this and claim it is in the child’s best interest. They will always place their agenda first.
They might not be a suitable guardian. In this case, a lawyer specializing in parental rights can look into the situation and help decide if the children are being taken care of properly by the parent in question.
Gaining Custody from a Narcissistic Parent
having the right attorney is a must! If you are still looking, document every drop-off, pick-up, and conversation.
The court will always take calendered journals over word of mouth. Your attorney can help you build a strong case that shows your having custody serves the child’s best interests.
Additionally, collecting evidence of the narcissist’s behavior can help you and your attorney in the custody battle.
If the narcissist is frequently absent, unreliable, or neglectful of the child’s needs, this can demonstrate that the child would be better off living with you.
Furthermore, if the narcissist has a history of using manipulation or abuse, this can be used to support your case.
Of course, this requires evidence, so you must document everything as much as possible. This could be text messages, emails, or recordings of conversations.
Conclusion: What To Expect From A Narcissistic Parent On Custody Battles
If you are facing a custody battle with a narcissist, you need help now! If you don’t have an attorney we can recommend the best!
With the proper evidence, you can demonstrate that your having custody is in the best interests of the child. This way, you and your child can avoid the manipulation and abuse of the narcissist.
If you are against a narcissistic parent on custody battles, Rich In Relationship can help you! We’re getting tons of calls so we can just help out a few people. Call us now before we run out of spots!