Parenting is hard, complicated, and tricky; sometimes, even the most careful and well-intentioned parents can end up making terrible mistakes in their parenting methods that produce a narcissistic child.
Narcissism defines a behavior where people are self-centered and focused on self-inflation. It’s a personality disorder in which people think extremely highly of themselves and don’t empathize with other people’s feelings and needs.
While there is no set formula to ensure your child will not grow up to become a toxic narcissist, these are some of the things you need to avoid doing as a parent.
Overindulgence
One of the major things some parents do to end up raising narcissistic kids is to provide them with too much attention, material things, and freedom. Although these parents want the best for their children, overindulgence usually leads to disaster. Kids spoiled by their parents with too many material goods and freedom usually misuse them. They can’t take no for an answer because that’s how their parents have trained them.
While every parent wants to provide all the best things to their kids, balance is always necessary. Learn to say no to things when there is a need.
Excessive Focus on the Child’s Appearance
Too much focus on a child’s appearance and looks indicates narcissism. Parents who are always commenting on their children’s looks and their appearance end up inculcating superficial beauty and good looks standards in their minds, and as these children grow up, they become more and more self-inflated and invested in their looks that they end up becoming a narcissist who constantly strives for approval and not always in a decent way.
Allowing Children to Dictate Their Own Boundaries and Rules
Some parents give too much freedom to their children in the name of modernism and being woke. Well, it’s a good thing that people nowadays realize that they should not be too controlling and strict with their kids, but as they say, ‘excess of everything is bad’ – too much freedom will spoil your children.
If kids are allowed to set their own boundaries and make their own rules, they will never become disciplined and responsible. Instead, they will grow up to become an entitled narcissist who thinks they are above the law and rules.
Lavish Displays of Affection and Overly Praising Children
It is one thing to encourage and appreciate your children on their small or big milestones, but it’s a totally different and destructive thing to lavishly praise them in every situation, especially when there is room for improvement. Parents who shower their kids with excessive praise and love encourage selfish behavior, and these kids grow up to become self-centered adults who think the world revolves around them. They constantly seek validation and praise from people around them.
Demonstrating a Lack of Respect for Others
When kids watch their parents disrespecting other people, they do the same in order to feel dominant – they mimic their parents, their actions and words and consider it normal as parents are the first teachers.
