A narcissistic parent is a parent affected by narcissism or narcissistic personality disorder. They are typically exclusively and possessively close to their children and are threatened by their childrens growing independence, resulting in a pattern of narcissistic attachment. Narcissistic parents consider that the child exists solely to fulfill the parent's needs and wishes, and they often try to control their children with threats and emotional abuse. Narcissistic parenting adversely affects the psychological development of children, affecting their reasoning and their emotional, ethical, and societal behaviors and attitudes. Here are some common traits of narcissistic parents:
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Grandiosity: A narcissistic parent has an inflated sense of their own importance and fantasizes about unlimited power, superiority, uniqueness, and perfection.
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Entitlement: It is common for narcissistic parents to believe that they are entitled to special treatment and privileges.
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Manipulation: Narcissistic parents are adept at manipulation and will do anything to sustain a respected image.
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Narcissistic abuse: Narcissistic parents often manipulate their kids to prevent them from becoming independent and will humiliate and shame them to achieve this.
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Selfishness: Narcissistic parents often disregard other people’s needs and concerns, including their children’s, because they believe their needs and feelings are the most important.
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Lack of empathy: Narcissistic parents have a lack of empathy for others, including their children.
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Seeing their child as a source of validation: Narcissistic parents often see their child as a source of validation and will loudly flaunt their children when they score the winning goal or get the big part in the school play.
Being raised by narcissistic parents may result in poor self-esteem, over-achieving tendencies, or self-sabotaging behaviors in adulthood. If you suspect that you or someone you know has a narcissistic parent, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional.
