The Watchdogs No One Talks About: Civil Grand Juries and Family Court Oversight
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

The Watchdogs No One Talks About: Civil Grand Juries and Family Court Oversight

Grand juries cannot investigate or second-guess the merits of court rulings, but they can investigate the operations and programs connected to the courts, as long as those fall under local government responsibility. For instance, a grand jury would not weigh in on whether a particular child custody decision was right or wrong, but it could examine whether a court-appointed contractor (like a minor’s counsel or a counseling service paid with public funds) is adhering to their contract and ethical standards.

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When It’s Easier to Be a Single Parent vs. “Parent” With the Narcissist
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

When It’s Easier to Be a Single Parent vs. “Parent” With the Narcissist

Overwhelm, exhaustion, and feelings of inadequacy are common for single parents. Struggle is most definitely a certainty. But survivors share that the emotional, physical, mental, and financial struggles of single parenthood don’t hold a candle to unbearable fatigue that comes with the abuser’s manufactured chaos.

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My Narcissistic Ex Blames Me When the Children Don’t Want to See Them - Help!
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

My Narcissistic Ex Blames Me When the Children Don’t Want to See Them - Help!

When children resist spending time with an abusive parent, it’s not because the safe parent “turned them against” the abuser—it’s because of the abuser’s own actions. Coercive control, threats, manipulation, emotional neglect, and even witnessing abuse toward the other parent can create a climate where children feel unsafe, anxious, or outright afraid. These reactions are not manufactured by the protective parent—they’re a survival response.

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Can I Predict What My Narcissistic Ex Will Do In Our Child Custody Battle?
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

Can I Predict What My Narcissistic Ex Will Do In Our Child Custody Battle?

The short answer is: yes—when you know what to look for. In high-conflict custody battles, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s protection. One of the most empowering steps a protective parent can take is learning how to profile the narcissist. This isn’t about labeling or diagnosing—it’s about strategy. It's about understanding the patterns, tactics, and behaviors that drive a narcissistic individual, so you can anticipate what’s coming and prepare accordingly. When you know your opponent, you stop reacting and start responding.

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The Truth Behind Reunification Therapy and the Tools to Fight Back
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

The Truth Behind Reunification Therapy and the Tools to Fight Back

Inside the guide, you’ll learn how reunification therapy operates in a legal and ethical gray zone; how court orders are drafted and manipulated to coerce compliance; how families are selected and exploited based on financial disclosures; and strategic ways to document, question, and push back.

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Should I “Document Everything” In My High Conflict Child Custody Battle?
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

Should I “Document Everything” In My High Conflict Child Custody Battle?

In the Documentation System and Workshop at The Rulebook Academy, I walk you through every detail of the system I used—from creating a credible timeline of events to using email strategically, to organizing your documentation in a way that court professionals respect.

This isn’t just a course. It’s a roadmap for reclaiming control in a process designed to wear you down.

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My Narcissistic Ex Triggers Me On Purpose at Custody Exchanges
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

My Narcissistic Ex Triggers Me On Purpose at Custody Exchanges

When we did the custody exchanges in public and I was alone, he would call me a whore and other degrading names. His face would contort with rage, and the children would often cry because they were terrified of him. But if I brought someone with me? He was on his best behavior—respectful, calm, controlled. That’s when I began to fully grasp the concept of impression management. It was never about the kids. It was about control. Always.

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From Narcissistic Abuse to Institutional Betrayal: Therapist’s Wedding Dress Run Targets Family Court Crisis
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

From Narcissistic Abuse to Institutional Betrayal: Therapist’s Wedding Dress Run Targets Family Court Crisis

This year, as Reiser prepares for her Rhode Island run, she’s calling on the media to join her in amplifying this critical issue especially at the finish line because there is a new initiative this year. We are going to be wrapping up the run at the family court in Providence and this is because the underbelly of narcissistic abuse is the darkness and corruption that riddles family courts all over the world.

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Why Narcissists Lie About the Little Things
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

Why Narcissists Lie About the Little Things

The tangled web that a narcissistic abuser weaves is enough to make anyone feel disoriented. So why all the little lies—the dumb stuff that really doesn’t matter?

Narcissists lie about small, inconsequential things for several reasons.

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Lemonade Power Retreat
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

Lemonade Power Retreat

Over the years, the Lemonade Power Retreats have attracted survivors from across the globe. The retreats have been held at various retreat centers throughout the United States including Washington, Massachusetts, Arizona, and multiple locations in California.

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The Narcissist Hated Being Married - Why Are They Attacking Me in Court?
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

The Narcissist Hated Being Married - Why Are They Attacking Me in Court?

Common sense would dictate that a detached narcissist, one who uses cold-shouldering, neglect, and silent treatments to control a partner, would be just fine with divorce. So why do so many survivors find that the narcissists who were the least involved in working on the marriage or family fight tooth and nail to create chaos and pain in the family court system?

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The Narcissist’s Three Favorite Love-Bombing Lies
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

The Narcissist’s Three Favorite Love-Bombing Lies

Recognizing the signs early on is important - but did you know that narcissistic abusers use love-bombing tactics throughout the relationship to keep victims stuck?

Whether you’re two weeks, two years, two decades, or two lifetimes into a relationship with a narcissistic individual, it’s never too late to start recognizing the cycle of narcissistic abuse.

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I’m Pregnant and I Think the Father is a Narcissist: Help!
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

I’m Pregnant and I Think the Father is a Narcissist: Help!

Bringing a child into the world should be a beautiful experience - but if you’re carrying the baby of a narcissist, it’s time to start safety planning.

Narcissistic abusers seek power and control over victims in order to maintain their self-imposed status as “center of the universe.”

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Personal Update: Shifting Gears to Prioritize My Health
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

Personal Update: Shifting Gears to Prioritize My Health

As many of you know, my work through One Mom’s Battle has always been deeply personal. I entered this space not as a professional, but as a mother fighting to protect her children in a system that often fails to prioritize their safety. Over time, what began as a blog turned into a movement. For the past thirteen years, I’ve poured every ounce of my heart and energy into helping others navigate the family court system and post-separation abuse.

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When Advocacy Becomes Dangerous: The Growing Threat
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

When Advocacy Becomes Dangerous: The Growing Threat

I’ve been labeled “public enemy number one.” I’ve received death threats. And I’m not alone.

When child safety advocates become the target of coordinated harassment, we must call it what it is: dangerous.

This is not advocacy. This is incitement. And it’s putting lives at risk.

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My Adult Children Believe the Lies My Narcissistic Ex Says About Me
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

My Adult Children Believe the Lies My Narcissistic Ex Says About Me

There’s no pain like losing adult children to the narcissistic abuser’s smear campaign. 

Narcissistic abusers know exactly how to cause the most pain to their victims. For many survivors, this means that the abuser goes after the parent-child relationship. With grown children, this can be devastating.

While every situation is different and there are no quick fixes, here are some words of comfort and advice from the battlefield.

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Why I Charge for My Services
Tina Swithin Tina Swithin

Why I Charge for My Services

I didn’t set out to build a business, I was simply trying to survive and support others along the way. My journey unfolded one day at a time, organically. It's why I often refer to myself as the "accidental' author and advocate. Even if I had set out to create a business, there is nothing wrong with that. I would have welcomed someone to serve as a resource when I was fighting to protect my children.

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