Easter Holiday & Co-Parenting with a Narcissist
- Michael Capleone, Sr.
- Apr 7
- 6 min read
Updated: May 21
Easter is meant to be a time of renewal, joy, and family celebration. But if you're co-parenting with a narcissist, the holiday might feel more like a minefield of emotional manipulation, control, and stress. Instead of peaceful egg hunts and Easter brunch, you may find yourself dodging passive-aggressive texts, fighting over pick-up times, or dealing with broken agreements.
The good news? You can get through Easter weekend with your peace—and your parenting rights—intact. As a Hoover, Alabama divorce and family law attorney, I’ve helped countless parents navigate high-conflict holidays during a divorce, especially when a narcissistic ex is involved.
Here’s how to protect yourself, your children, and your holiday.
Why Narcissists Weaponize Holidays Like Easter
Narcissists often use holidays for one reason: control. They don’t see Easter as a time for compromise or cooperation—they see it as a stage for attention, chaos, or revenge. If your ex is narcissistic or high-conflict, they may use Easter to:
Disrupt your parenting time or plans
Play the “fun parent” and undermine your authority
Buy extravagant Easter baskets to compete for your child’s affection
Twist the narrative to make you look like the villain to family or even the court
Trigger conflict just to drain your energy and provoke a reaction
They thrive on drama. But you can rise above it.
How to Co-Parent Peacefully (Even If They Won’t)
1. Stick to the Parenting Plan
Your custody agreement is your Easter survival guide. If it includes specific holiday schedules, follow them to the letter. Do not allow guilt trips, “but the kids want to come with me” arguments, or last-minute changes to sway you.
If your agreement doesn’t specify Easter custody, talk to your attorney about amending your parenting plan to include all major holidays. Clear boundaries reduce room for manipulation.
2. Use Written Communication Only
When you're dealing with a narcissist, always communicate in writing—preferably through a co-parenting app like:
Our Family Wizard
Talking Parents
App Close
This creates a documented trail that protects you from false accusations or gaslighting. Keep your messages brief, factual, and emotion-free. Do not engage in arguments, even if provoked.
3. Expect Games—But Don’t Play Along
Your narcissistic ex might:
“Forget” agreed pick-up/drop-off times
Show up uninvited at your Easter events
Try to switch plans last minute
Tell your children you’re “keeping them from having fun”
These tactics are meant to trigger emotional responses. The key is to remain calm and predictable—even if they’re doing everything they can to pull you into chaos. Narcissists lose power when you stop reacting.
4. Focus on Creating Joyful Easter Moments
You may not be able to control your ex, but you can control the atmosphere in your own home. Whether you have the kids on Easter Sunday or not, create your own celebration:
Plan an egg hunt in your yard or a local park
Make Easter crafts or decorate eggs together
Attend a child-friendly church service or community event
Share a quiet brunch and talk about the meaning of renewal and hope
Children remember peace, not perfection. Your calm presence is more powerful than any over-the-top Easter basket.
5. Don’t Compete—Connect
Narcissistic parents often try to “buy” love with gifts or experiences. If your ex shows up with expensive Easter presents or extravagant plans, don’t take the bait.
Instead of competing, focus on emotional connection:
Listen to your kids
Ask how they feel
Tell them what you love about spending time with them
Share memories and laughter
The bond you build through love and stability will outlast any gift.
What If They Violate the Parenting Plan?
If your narcissistic ex:
Refuses to return the children at the agreed time
Blocks your court-ordered visitation
Tries to alienate the children against you
Manipulates communication or makes threats
Document everything. Then, contact your family law attorney right away. In Alabama, repeated violations of a parenting plan can justify legal action, including:
Contempt of court
Modification of custody
Supervised visitation orders
Court-mandated communication methods
The courts prioritize the best interests of the child—and that includes consistency, emotional safety, and respectful co-parenting.
Reclaiming Easter: A Time of Renewal
Even if your co-parent is difficult, Easter can still be a time of healing. The holiday symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings—and that applies to you, too. Divorce and toxic co-parenting don’t have to define your family’s story.
You’re creating a new normal. One where your children feel safe, loved, and supported. One where you are no longer controlled by a narcissist’s tactics. And one where the holidays become joyful again.
Need Help Navigating a Narcissist This Easter? Let’s Talk.
If your ex is using Easter—or any holiday—as a weapon, you don’t have to face it alone. As an experienced divorce and family law attorney in Hoover, Alabama, I help parents protect their time, enforce parenting plans, and reduce conflict with high-conflict exes. Whether you need legal advice or want to pursue court action to regain peace, I’m here to help.
You're not alone—and you're not powerless. Simple, but informative and powerful guides that are strategic, legal, and provide sharp emotional tools that work. These guides are inexpensive, give you valuable knowledge, and peace of mind in addressing the issue you’re facing at a fraction of what it would cost to receive this same information from an in-person consultation with a professional.
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About Michael Capleone, Attorney at Law
Michael Capleone is a seasoned family law attorney based in Hoover, Alabama, with over 22+ years of experience helping clients navigate complex legal challenges, including divorce, child custody, parental rights, grandparent’s rights, military divorces, petition for protection from abuse, CPS and DHR matters, father’s rights, mother’s rights, relationship advice, pets/ animal custody when a relationship or marriage ends, and general family law matters, co-parenting, dealing with a narcissist, emotional recovery, and much more! As a licensed practicing attorney since 2003, is a dedicated advocate for his clients, Michael understands the emotional and legal complexities of family law cases and works tirelessly to secure favorable outcomes in his law practice.
Whether you’re dealing with high-conflict custody battles, seeking modifications to child support or visitation, or facing difficult divorce proceedings, having problems with a toxic ex, trying to co-parent with a narcissist. Michael Capleone provides expert legal tips and topic specific information with wisdom and clarity. He is committed to ensuring that his clients’ rights are protected, and their voices are heard in the courtroom. These blogs and guides that he is creating are meant to provide simple, straightforward, helpful, and powerful practical information for people all across the United States of America and beyond.
These guides are written in a brief and concise way to get you powerful and useful information that you can easily print off in a reasonable small number of pages. Each guide is a concentrated, no-fluff resource — around 4-5 pages packed with professional insight, legal strategy, and emotional survival tactics. They are designed to cover the real pain points people face in courtrooms and custody fights: defending yourself against false accusations, exposing manipulation without looking petty, protecting your financial future, and keeping your relationship with your children strong in the middle of conflict.
For less than the cost of a single attorney consultation, you get targeted strategies built from over 22+ years of real-world family law experience. These aren’t generic blog articles or cookie-cutter templates. Every guide is designed to give you immediate, actionable steps — the same strategies I teach my own clients — adapted for real people dealing with real, high-stakes problems.
If you're serious about defending your rights, protecting your children, and staying one step ahead of a manipulative ex, these guides aren't just helpful — they're essential. They will save you time, reduce your stress, and help you make smarter moves when everything is on the line.
Winning in court isn’t just about having evidence. It’s about understanding the psychology, the patterns, and the legal strategies that judges actually respond to. These guides put that power in your hands. If you’re ready to stop reacting and start taking control, you’re exactly where you need to be!
For more information on Michael Capleone’s legal services or to schedule a consultation. An experienced Hoover, Alabama family law attorney that guides clients through legal strategy, emotional challenges, relationship problems, legal matters and more to achieve the best positive outcomes. Note: Licensed in the State of Alabama only.
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique—please consult with a qualified family law attorney licensed in your jurisdiction to discuss your specific situation. Also, this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, psychological, or professional advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship or any other professional-client relationship. The information provided is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, tax professional, psychologist, or other expert regarding your specific situation.
