Here's what that looks like. About 2 - 3 times a year, they freeze my bank accounts. I call them. They ask how much money is in the accounts. (As if they don't know.) Then they take 50% of everything I have. And in the course of the next few days, my banks will unfreeze the rest of the money. Effectively, I am left with zero dollars.
I can take a break from her blasting texts. I can hold my boundary. I will try again tomorrow. That's usually my mantra.
As a co-parent to a narcissistic is has not been easy. In most of the negotiations, I was given no chance to be on top.
Something about my celebration of my kids, my ability to house them while it was my weekend, caused my ex-wife more fury.
It's my job to help work together with one or both of the parents to create a positive outcome for everyone involved.
I am sad sometimes that I no longer have a partner and cheerleader in navigating these difficult times. But that role/relationship ended several years before the marriage did. And now I have two fabulous kids and their mom.
And when things don't go in our favor, even when we are not given 50/50 parenting, it is still our responsibility as men, to lead from a position of love and strength.
If two parents want to co-parent as friends, want to share expenses as co-parents, and want what's best for their kids, WE HAVE GOT TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM.