Author: Will Grey
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Intro In high-conflict custody disputes, narcissistic parents often manipulate situations to control outcomes, frequently using their children as pawns. At Grey Rock Communications, we see this behavior regularly, where narcissists craft narratives by speaking on behalf of their child to influence third parties like judges, mediators, or parenting coordinators (PCs). This article explores this tactic,…
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The Manipulation of Feigned Failure Narcissists are often linked to grandiose self-images, but many skillfully use weaponized incompetence as a subtle yet powerful manipulation tactic. By exaggerating or fabricating their inability to succeed—whether it’s failing to secure a job despite multiple degrees or “struggling” with basic tasks like mowing the lawn—they craft a narcissist victimhood…
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A Tool of Coercive Control Nightly phone or video calls mandated in divorce decrees are not just a nuisance—they’re a weapon of coercive control, designed to dominate both the child and the co-parent. At Grey Rock Communications, every member we support who endures these calls faces a relentless nightmare. These provisions, often cloaked as a…
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A Guide for Low-Conflict Parents Co-parenting after divorce is challenging, especially when your ex is a high-conflict narcissist. One common dilemma arises when your child is invited to a birthday party during the high-conflict parent’s custody time. Should you encourage your child to attend, knowing the narcissistic parent might tag along? At Grey Rock Communications,…
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A System Without Solomon’s Wisdom In the ancient story from 1 Kings 3:16-28, two women claimed to be the mother of a single child. King Solomon, faced with their dispute, proposed a drastic solution: divide the child in half, giving each woman an equal share. The true mother, driven by love, immediately relinquished her claim…
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Introduction to Response Times in Divorce Decrees In high-conflict divorces, court-ordered response times in divorce decrees create deadlines like 24, 48, or 72 hours for ex-spouses to reply to messages. However, the original aim of these orders is to prevent stonewalling, where one parent ignores communication. While the intent is to foster cooperation, these rigid…
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The Power of Silence in High-Conflict Divorce In high-conflict divorces, especially when children are involved, communication can feel like navigating a minefield. If you’re co-parenting with someone who exhibits narcissistic traits, you may already know the futility of explaining or defending yourself—a topic we explored in a previous post. But there’s a deeper, more powerful…
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The intent behind boundaries makes all the difference Boundaries are often misunderstood. When you distance yourself from someone—say, an ex-partner, a friend, or a family member—people might assume you’re holding a grudge. They’ll say things like, “You need to forgive,” or “How long are you going to be angry?” But what they might not realize…
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and What It Really Means If you’ve ever co-parented with a narcissist, you’ve probably seen this word pop up like clockwork: At first glance, it might seem like they’re just pointing out repeated behavior. But don’t be fooled. The word “again” is more than just a word—it’s a manipulation tactic. Narcissists rarely use language by…
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Why “Document Everything” Might Be Wasting Your Time—and Feeding the Wrong Narrative If you’re co-parenting with a high-conflict ex, chances are you’ve heard this advice: “Document everything.” You’ve probably followed it, too—saving screenshots, forwarding emails to yourself, logging every missed pickup, every dentist appointment mix-up, every lie. But let us ask you one thing: Show…