Posts Tagged: child of narcissist


20
Oct 14

The Poster Child for Narcissism

don't tread on me“Hey, you’re new in here.  What can I get you?”

“Oh, just water for me.  I don’t like to lose control.”  He sits on a stool a couple spots away from a woman seated at the bar.  “I think my ex-wife comes in here.  I was hoping to run into her.”

The bartender laughed, “That’s not something I hear very often.  You want to run into your ex-wife?”

“Yes.  I’m selling my car and I’m hoping she’ll buy it for our son.”

The bartender slides a glass of water across the bar.  “Tell me about this car.” Continue reading →


14
Oct 14

The Difference Between Can’t and Won’t

all that ocean and not a narcissist in sightGuest Post by Jenn

Way back in May of this year I was dealing with issues stemming from the sideline Narcissist in my life.  I call her a sideline Narcissist because she doesn’t live in my home, or in my town, but she very much influences my life because she raised my husband.  Thank the Gods he managed to survive his childhood and now we have our own little darlings, who are also influenced by the sideline Narcissist.  But I digress.

Back to the issue the sideline Narcissist was inconveniently causing back in May.  After I had sent out an email to extended family members letting them know that we wouldn’t be traveling to Kentucky as we normally do, the husband received an email from his mother.  She stated she would like the kids for two weeks in July and then again for another two weeks in August – at her house, which is ten hours away from where we live.  The big problem here is that my MIL cannot physically handle the rigors of caring for two very active young boys plus their sister for more than a few days.  She wanted them for two weeks at a time.  Cue the drama where the sideline Narcissist does a happy dance.

So the husband and I actually agree that his mother cannot have the kids for two weeks.  Then we even go so far as to agree that he should go with the kids for their one-week visit.  We then agreed that he would talk to his mother about why she couldn’t have the kids by herself.  And that’s where all the happy dancing on my end stopped because although the husband said he would talk to her, in reality it wasn’t happening.  I even gave him a date to have it done by, since he’s horrible at procrastinating.  That date came and he hadn’t had the TALK.

We were in July now, and I was angry – grinding my teeth and harrowing-in-my-gut angry – when I saw him.  Because what I saw was that he wouldn’t talk to his mother even though it was in his kids’ best interests. He didn’t want me talking to the sideline Narcissist about this problem because I was “too aggressive” –  in his words.  Whereas what I saw was that he was entirely too passive.  So I sat in my anger and I felt my body drawing in around me, and at some point I got tired of the anger.  It takes a lot of energy to maintain that kind of anger and I didn’t want to do it anymore.  So I pulled myself aside and had a chat.  The fancy schmancy counseling degree I have teaches you certain skills.  So I asked myself what I would do with some random dude off the street who walked in and had an angry wife and a mother he couldn’t talk to.  And that’s when it hit me. Continue reading →


17
Aug 14

On Soft Landings and a Rare Night Out

a rare night out“So what if I kept the conversation going on your projects? I’ll ask the questions and then maybe dad will join in. What do you think?”

We were taking a long walk through the neighborhood, trying to come up with a plan to suit both kids for the next day’s dad visit.  As we walked, we watched charcoal storm clouds build south of town.

That should have been my first clue.

Jen said, “I know how that will go.  I’ll answer you and start talking about a project, and he’ll quit listening, like he always does.”

Jen walked to the edge of the street when she saw a car coming.  Will had to be made aware of the car.  (That pretty much sums up my experiences parenting a boy and a girl.) Continue reading →


8
Aug 14

Random Thoughts at the Five Year Mark

starting overwow.

This blog is five years old.

wow.

 

Things have changed a lot in five years.  We not only survive, but we thrive on a mostly daily basis.  The health of my kids (and myself!) is testament to the power of connection, the awesomeness of being heard, the cathartic healing found in knowledge and the magic of friendship. Continue reading →


29
Jul 14

The Ending

the endingGuest Post by Anonymous

It ended with a coat…

An argument between my 12 year old son and my husband ended my 20 year marriage – all over a coat.

It was the Friday after Thanksgiving.  We had spent the better part of three days at our niece’s house, as I was helping her host her first Thanksgiving – for 20 people, no less.  We returned home Friday afternoon after a two-hour drive. I just wanted some quiet time so begged off from a housewarming party we were invited to attend.  Husband and son were preparing to go without me when a fight broke out between them over son taking a coat which husband deemed appropriate for the weather, one which son hated and refused to consider.  The fight escalated into an ugly scene – son locked husband out of house after being chased around the yard by him, in the dark. Continue reading →


23
Jun 14

homekeeping 10

homekeeping 10It seems I’ve entered my Nanny McPhee Period when grey hairs corkscrew from the top of my head and adult onset acne gets comfortable and refuses to leave.  I know this isn’t a beauty blog, but I’ve discovered a couple products that have made this phase slightly less Nanny McPhee-like, and it wouldn’t be right not to share.

I haven’t the bravery to Google – “How Long Will I Keep Getting Periods” – because if there’s a woman out there who is still getting periods well into her senior years, I don’t want to know about her.  I don’t want to know that I could be that empty-nest woman, in her 60s (because I will be close to 60 by the time Jen leaves, if she decides to do so), traveling to Italy, sipping red wine at a lovely cafe and having to excuse herself from the intelligent conversation at the quaint bistro table for two because she’s having a “period” emergency.

I can handle many things, but I’m not sure I want to know how long I’ll have to deal with periods.  No, I won’t be doing hormone replacement therapy.  I’m the anti-chemical, left-over hippy, who doesn’t put anything on her lawn, doesn’t own a microwave, and has never colored her hair.  I will not be taking some sort of chemical supplement to help me through this phase, even if that would keep my kids from wanting to kill me or move into their dad’s house once a month.  (Come to think of it, my mood swings are sure to bring about that empty nest.)

 

Primrose Oil has kept my kids from packing their bags.  I don’t know why it works.  I don’t care.  It keeps me from wanting to slash the neighbor’s tires when he leaves his car running while he’s in his house obviously looking for his car keys.  Primrose oil keeps me from hiding under the covers until my period passes.  I love this stuff.  If I’m telling you about it, that means it works. Continue reading →


19
Jun 14

When the Narcissist Tries

Wizzy takes up golfYou might be laughing at the title of this post. You might be thinking, “Ha! Like a narcissist ever tries. Never is more like it!”

Oh, but they do try.  They try to get along when their source has dried up.  When they are craving narcissistic supply, they will pull out all the stops to try to get attention from you.  This is what it looks like:

  • Your narcissistic dad will call and ask you how Beth Ann is doing.  You’ll continue along with the conversation even though you know he’s talking about your buddy, Annabeth.  Your mom has even introduced him to Annabeth.  You and your mom have both corrected him when he has called Annabeth by other names including Abigail, Alyssa, Alicia and Annie.  He could write the name down because he is a note taker.  You’ve seen him write down lots of lists – names of flies, best spots for flyfishing, the name of someone who might be selling a raft.  It’s just that your buddy’s name isn’t important enough for your dad to keep track of.
  • When you tell your narcissistic dad that your grandparents are helping with the costs of golf, he’ll say, “Geez, that’s great.  Are you going to have any time to go fishing or hiking or camping with me?”

16
Jun 14

On Telling the Narcissist No

calm watersThe family had split into separate canoes some time ago.  Initially, the paddling was difficult.  The water was choppy and the canoe carrying the mother and the two children took on water more times than not.  The father was in a canoe by himself.  He didn’t seem to mind the rough waters.  Truth be told, he seemed to prefer making waves and watching the other three struggle to keep their canoe afloat.

In time, the three found their rhythm.  They paddled in sync and enjoyed the view.  It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but they became adept at riding out the storms.  They’d hunker down, breathe through the rapids, remember not to hang on too tightly (because that makes the ride more tense), and make each other laugh.

 

More recently, when his canoe approached, he’d be paddling more gently.  She dared to believe that he might not want to rock their boat anymore.  A couple sunny days found the canoes gliding side by side as the four exchanged stories of golf, fishing, and fairy gardens.

One afternoon, both canoes were beached as the four discussed a possible journey to be taken by the father and the two children.  The mother was included, and they all smiled through the conversation.  The talking was easy.  Each opinion was heard.  The children were asked to think about the proposed adventure and let the father know, the next day, if they planned to go with him. Continue reading →


29
May 14

“We Were Brainwashed!”

playground“Hey!  Nice to see you!  Isn’t this new play structure wonderful?”

“Do you live around here?”  She helped one of her two navigate the climbing wall.

“Yes, that house on the corner.  How about you?”

She pointed in the opposite direction and said they lived that way.  “Geez, I guess the last time I saw you was at the grocery store?  How’ve you been?  Is Jen playing hooky today?”

“We’ve been homeschooling for about four years now.”  I turned to watch Jen navigate the monkey bars. Continue reading →


3
May 14

Show Them the Love You Want Them to Find

still life with terra cottaDear Jesse,

I like how you set out to read more and then started reading more. I watch you walk into the library. I know you are planning to look for some fantasy fiction or maybe a good mystery.  I see you standing in front of the ‘New Books’ section. I see your eyes scanning the shelves. I watch as your hand reaches up to grab yet another non-fiction about narcissism or relationships or parenting.

Dear heart, you’ve read enough. You’ve seen the patterns. You know that the reason you keep ending up with narcissists in your life is because that’s what you learned as a kid.

Yeah, I know you are gun-shy about getting into a new relationship. That’s certainly understandable. All the reading in the world won’t prepare you for the next time. Your heart will know when it’s time. I can’t tell you how a new relationship might turn out. That’s not my job. It’s your job to get out there and keep trying.

When you are ready to try again. Continue reading →


28
Apr 14

Let Go

let go

Let go or be dragged.
          – Zen Proverb

 

She read the quote again.  She closed the laptop and walked over to the peely-paint cupboard that held art supplies and construction paper.  What color should she pick?  She settled on purple.  She looked for a marker in the Kerr jar on the kitchen table.  She wanted something bold – a marker that would yell.  She found a juicy dark blue and purposefully wrote the quote.

She taped the quote next to the others that read:  That is not my journey, NMP – not my problem, and No steamrollers!

As she re-read the quotes, she visualized a thick twisted rope.  The strands of rope were different colors, twined together to make a rope as thick as her wrist.  Each color represented something or someone that she’d allowed to drag her to where she found herself today.

 

The black represented every one-sided, caustic, demanding, life-sucking relationship she’d ever been in – the narcissists.

The charcoal symbolized her limiting self-talk.

The brown represented her expectations – going as far back as childhood – about what she thought her life would be.

The grey stood for definitions of who she was – assigned to her by others.

The burnt orange represented her lack of self-confidence.

The dark green was every negative, gossip-filled conversation that she hadn’t had the guts to excuse herself from.

 

She looked back at the quote.

 

Let go or be dragged.

 

She wondered where she’d be if she hadn’t allowed that rope to drag her where she is today.  She laughed and told herself, “Well, that’s a waste of time.  You could spend the rest of the day wondering where you could have gone, or you could pull out a pair of scissors and cut that rope apart.”

The burnt orange was the first to go, followed by the grey and the dark green.  The brown was the most fun to cut.  She ceremoniously snipped the brown and felt her mood brighten.  There would be new doors to open once she locked the door on expectations.

The charcoal would take some effort.  She’d have to sharpen the scissors for that one.  Limiting self-talk had been her constant companion.  With sharper scissors, she began to snip the threads of the charcoal strand.

She snipped – “You’re not good enough.”
She cut – “You’re an inconvenience.”
She removed – “Why aren’t you more like everyone else?

She saw charcoal threads scattered on the floor at her feet.  She noticed that the charcoal strand was tightly connected to the black strand.  She kept cutting.

 

The black strand was the thickest – requiring more than a pair of scissors.

 

As of this writing, she’s still hacking away at the black strand.

 

Let go or be dragged.


23
Apr 14

On Narcissism and Negativity

on narcissism and negativity“What did dad want?”

I put the cell down and said, “Well, he wants to come by here and pick up some of Will’s sketches.  He wants to make copies of them.”

Silence….

 

“Jen, are you okay?”

“Sure.  I’m fine,” spoken like a mini-me.

“Jen, it would make sense to get your feelings hurt when your dad comes over here, plucks some of Will’s sketches off the kitchen wall – that hang right next to your sketches – without his asking to take any of your work.  That would hurt feelings.  You can admit that.”

“I know.”

 

A couple hours later…

 

“Guys!  I don’t know what to do here.  I have been working on avoiding anything negative.  I try to banish negative self-talk and avoid negative conversations.  I’m trying to make progress here.  I don’t want a cloud hanging over this happy sanctuary that is our home.

 Jen, you are the most positive person I know.  Will, you don’t have a negative bone in your body.  But how do I handle it when something like this happens with your dad?  How do I avoid any discussion about this?

If I let it slide by without acknowledging the potential for hurt feelings, it appears that I’m fine with his actions.  And that’s definitely not the case.

If I bring it to light, then I can’t do so without dipping into the negative.

What would you do?”

 

Will looks up from his work, “Well, we have to talk about it so that Jen knows that we don’t agree with how he treats her.  It sucks, and it’s not right.”

Jen comes out from the kitchen, “We have to talk about it so that we don’t end up being crappy parents with our own kids.  We have to know what to avoid, but we don’t have to dwell on it.  We can just talk about it and move on and not let the negative take over.”


28
Mar 14

The INFJ and the Narcissist – Part 7

the incredible shrinking womanThe Incredible Shrinking Woman

She’d grown accustomed to being invisible.  Invisibility was normal.  She learned that in childhood.  In her marriage, she was invisible to her partner, so she thought that was normal, too.

 

The INFJ

Most INFJs enjoy being  invisible.  INFJs are comfortable staying in the background. Continue reading →


27
Feb 14

Steering Clear

skiing the deep“Do I have to?”

“Honey, two runs a couple times a ski season, and that’s it.  It won’t kill ya, and it’s way better than a whole ski day with him.”

She buckles her boots and sighs, “I know.”

“I’ll be waiting for you at the bottom of the lift.”  I can see she’s nervous.  I can see her eyes are already losing their sparkle.  She’s dreading these two runs with every fiber of her being.  Normally she gets herself ready, but now she’s stalling.  As I wrap the fleece scarf around her face and neck I remind her that it doesn’t matter what he says, “You are an awesome skier.  Just ignore his words.”

  Continue reading →


13
Feb 14

On Our Fickle Self-Esteem

when an original wears an originalA woman walks into a bar…

She self-consciously focuses on her purse as the bartender approaches and asks, “What’ll you have?”

“I’ll have VO and water, please.”

The bartender pulls down a glass, “One of those days, huh?”

She fumbles with her wallet, “Not yet, but it will be by the time my kids get home.  They’re with their dad right now.” Continue reading →