What is considered harassment by a co-parent?

Asked by: Ephraim Kulas  |  Last update: February 20, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (64 votes)

Harassment and insults: Your ex might cause you distress with harassment, which might include insults about your character or the way you choose to parent. Other harassing behavior might include constant texts or calls, screaming and other forms of intimidation, threats, and stalking.

What is inappropriate co-parenting while in a relationship?

No late night texts if there is no emergency about kids. No helping each other or relying on each other for anything that doesn't directly affect or involve kids. No sharing or borrowing things between homes except kids belongings. No sending random links or informations that would be 'helpful', unless about kids.

How often should a co-parent call their child?

Unless there is a specific need, parents should not initiate a call or text to their children more than one time a day while they are in the other parent's custody. It is understandable to miss the child, but co-parenting requires respect for the child's time with the other parent.

How to prove harassment from ex?

To build a robust case against your ex-husband, compiling evidence of harassment is vital. This can include keeping records of messages, phone calls, and any other incidents. In cases of cyberstalking, these records can be used as evidence in court if necessary.

When you can't co-parent?

When co-parenting becomes impossible, it may be time to establish a formal parenting plan or modify the existing parenting plan. This can be done through court or by agreement of the parties. Attorneys and other professionals can help you and the other parent establish this parenting plan.

Different ways CO-PARENTING with a NARCISSIST plays out

17 related questions found

What is a hostile co-parent?

Hostile co-parent behavior, such as harassing behavior, encompasses constant criticism, insults, belittlement, threats, and intimidation toward family members.

What is a narcissistic co-parent?

Narcissistic parents put their preferences over others, including yours. They might undermine your parenting methods in order to get what they want. For example, your ex might try and manipulate your child to get them to go along with their interests and desires.

What are examples of co-parenting harassment?

Some signs of co-parent harassment include:
  • Repeated calls, texts, and emails.
  • Verbal abuse or degrading language.
  • Intentionally causing emotional distress.
  • Acting violent aggressive.
  • Threatening behavior.
  • Recuring close screaming.
  • Incessant criticism.
  • Extreme control.

Can I press charges on my ex for harassment?

If the harassment continues, there are several options open to you. First, you can make a criminal complaint and request that the prosecutor seek an order of protection in your favor.

What is evidence of harassment?

In jurisdictions where it is lawful, recording conversations or incidents of harassment can serve as critical evidence. These recordings can capture the harassment as it happens, providing undeniable proof of the misconduct. Similarly, voicemails left by the harasser can provide compelling evidence.

How do you talk to a toxic co-parent?

Communicate Effectively and Strategically

Don't be emotional, sarcastic, or preachy. Sticking to the facts and holding your boundaries will help minimize conflict. If emotions are still running high, taking space and focusing on your relationship with your children is highly recommended.

What is reasonable phone access?

Both parents should have reasonable phone access to the child. That means at reasonable hours, for reasonable duration, and at reasonable intervals. To ensure reasonable access, at a minimum parents should agree on a specified time for calls so the child can be made available to receive them.

What is parental alienation?

Parental alienation is a strategy whereby one parent intentionally displays to the child unjustified negativity aimed at the other parent. The purpose of this strategy is to damage the child's relationship with the other parent and to turn the child's emotions against that other parent.

What are the 17 signs of parental alienation?

Identifying 17 Signs of Parental Alienation
  • Unjustified Rejection of a Parent. ...
  • Lack of Guilt about Hostility Towards the Rejected Parent. ...
  • Absence of Ambivalence. ...
  • Borrowed Scenarios and Language. ...
  • Automatic Support of the Alienating Parent. ...
  • Campaign of Denigration. ...
  • Unjustified Fear or Hatred of the Rejected Parent.

What not to say in a custody battle?

It is generally advisable that one refrains from talking negatively about the co-parent or opposition in the custody battle. One should generally avoid bringing up petty arguments, complaints, or rants about previous behavior that the co-parent demonstrated.

What are problematic parent child relationships?

An unhealthy parent-child relationship can manifest in various ways, including emotional manipulation, exerting excessive control over the child, neglect, or physical and emotional abuse. In such relationships, one can observe factors such as a lack of established trust, respect, and boundaries for each other.

How do you prove harassment charges?

Testimonies from the accuser and witnesses are often considered the most reliable and impactful evidence. Audio or video recordings and photographs can also be used to provide evidence in a harassment case. Forensic evidence, such as emails and text messages, can be used if available.

How to stop a parent from harassing you?

File a police report, and then talk to your lawyer. In fact, you should talk to your lawyer no matter how serious the harassment is. Your legal representatives can help you determine whether you should get a restraining order, make changes to your custody arrangement, or change who has custody altogether.

Can I legally stop my ex from contacting me?

Getting a Protective Order

Also known as a “50B” or a DVPO, a protective order can serve as another strong line of defense against ex-husbands who refuse to stop harassing you online. After you have obtained a DVPO, your former spouse will be completely banned from contacting you in any way.

How to prove bad co-parenting?

A: Useful evidence to prove parental alienation includes:
  1. Negative social media posts by your co-parent.
  2. Testimony from a professional, like a therapist or counselor, about changes in your child's behavior.
  3. Witnesses to your co-parent's fabrications or negative talk about you to your child.

Is texting a form of harassment?

Even if the person sending you the message is someone close to you, including family members, the text can still be considered harassing, depending on what it says. It doesn't even have to be threatening—it's enough if it's spam-like or abusive.

What is hostile parenting?

Hostile parenting involves frequent harsh treatment and discipline and can be physical or psychological. It may, for example, involve shouting at children regularly, routine physical punishment, isolating children when they misbehave, damaging their self-esteem, or punishing children depending on the parent's mood.

How to outsmart a narcissist coparent?

Here 5 Co-Parenting Tips To Disarm The Narcissist Parent:
  1. Don't Sink To Their Level, Stay Outside Of The Perceived Conflict. ...
  2. Don't Feed Their Ego, Stay Children Centered. ...
  3. Don't Take Responsibility For Their Emotion, Stay Grounded In Values. ...
  4. Don't Use Ultimatums, Stay Calm And Set Boundaries.

What is the grey rock method?

The grey rock method is where you deliberately act unresponsive or unengaged so that an abusive person will lose interest in you. Abusive people thrive on emotions and drama. When you act indifferent and don't show your emotions, they may lose interest and stop bothering you. This is known as “grey rocking.”

How to coparent with a toxic ex?

Tips for Co-Parenting with a Toxic Ex
  1. Put Your Child First. Respect the parenting schedule. ...
  2. Take Care of Yourself. ...
  3. Give What You Hope to Get. ...
  4. Have Backup. ...
  5. Get a Detailed Court Order. ...
  6. Establish Boundaries and Enforce Them. ...
  7. Think Before You Communicate. ...
  8. Communicate Only About Parenting.