Is Your Kid A Narcissist? Look Out For These Signs (And How To Help Your Narcissistic Child)

If you’ve ever met a narcissistic person in your life before then you must be familiar with the signs of a narcissistic personality. People with narcissistic traits think about their needs above others and this childlike behavior can manifest as disrespecting others’ boundaries, for example.

Narcissists mostly lack empathy for others and would often respond with criticism, rage, and defensively. With this said, you might have a friend, a family member (including parents and children), or coworkers with narcissistic traits.

If your kid is exhibiting narcissistic traits, then the situation may not be easy to tackle. Narcissism in your child can become a problem in the long run if not understood and taken care of during the developmental years.

Below, let’s take a look at the signs of a narcissistic son or daughter. Mind you, narcissism can appear during the tween and teenage years. Do you suspect your tween or teenager is a narcissist? Let’s look at the signs.

Before we begin, let’s understand the difference between narcissism and narcissistic personality disorders.

Narcissism vs Narcissistic Personality Disorder

According to Jeanette Raymond, a psychologist and relationship expert, we all have a few narcissistic traits when it comes to personality. These narcissistic traits help build our self-esteem and self-worth so they are not bad.

The difference, though, between narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder is that with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), a person constantly feels wronged and victimized. They get upset about your success and are unable to maintain relationships where they are required to give.

However, children and teens may not be diagnosed with NPD, because their personalities are still developing and there are phases where they are supposed to focus on themselves and their needs.

I mean, that’s when we build self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth, right? Did you know that according to some psychologists, narcissistic traits in a child are common?

Signs Your Kid Is A Narcissist

It is possible that your kid’s narcissism isn’t normal or how it is supposed to be. Children tend to seek attention from others and that also depends on their developmental phase.

If you suspect your kid is a narcissist, then here are some common signs of a narcissist son or daughter to help you out:

• They tend to monopolize attention and conversations
• They tend to belittle and demean others
• They exaggerate their achievements and diminish the value of others’ accomplishments
• They have trouble empathizing with their peers and parents
• They are prone to emotional outbursts and rage when things don’t go their way
• They go against authority when things don’t go their way
• They hardly express their gratitude towards parents or friends
• They exclude other kids from their activities because of superficial reasons
• They don’t take responsibility for their actions
• They express resentment towards others when they are told what to do
• They have unreasonable and unrealistic expectations from others
• They find it hard to make friends and get along with others
• They are jealous of their peers’ achievements and success
• They can’t take constructive criticism and get offended easily

Again, these behaviors are common for a tween and teenage son or daughter. A kid’s behavior patterns change as they grow up and go through changes – body and mind. It is important to understand, as a parent, that you don’t read too much into your kid’s behaviors and actions during their developmental years.

However, what seems different at one phase of growth can be normal for another phase. Narcissism, even temporary, can be a result of your kid’s response to their changes, hormones, or other factors such as medications and stress.

To understand, or more like – distinguish between what’s normal and what’s unusual, you can consider:

• Your child’s age
• Your child’s maturity
• Your child’s behavioral pattern

Parents can also look for behavioral patterns in their child’s relationship with others. If your kid’s narcissistic childlike behavior is negatively impacting their family and social relationships, then you can consult a professional for guidance.

You can also look for certain changes like lack of empathy, lack of awareness, excessive blaming, etc.

What To Do To Help Your Narcissistic Child?

In any condition or situation, early detection and intervention can help change destructive patterns. If you suspect your kid is a narcissist, then you can help them by:

1. Talking To Them About Their Behavior

If you suspect your kid is a narcissist, then the best thing you can do is help them understand the impact their behavior has on their peers and others around them. You can teach them to be empathetic without manipulating others. This will help them build healthy relationships early on and learn affection.

2. Checking In With Your Family Dynamic

Narcissism often accompanies self-focus and self-attention behaviors. This happens when a child is worried that their parents or caregivers can’t meet their needs. As parents, you need to understand your family dynamics and emotional awareness. The more you’re emotionally aware of your family’s needs, the less your child will be prone to narcissism.

3. Seeking Professional Help And Support

If you’re still worried about your child’s narcissistic traits, you can connect with a professional to understand more about their personality. It is imperative to understand what your child might go through during their developmental age and if they show destructive patterns, you can be there for them and help them through it.

In the end, narcissistic traits can create trouble for your child in the future if they are not careful. But don’t worry, there is help available! With the right professional help and treatment, you can help your narcissistic child change their behaviors.

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If you’d like to connect with a professional, you can sign up with BetterHelp or write to us at info@calmsage.com for more.

Do you think your child is a narcissist? Did these signs of a narcissistic son or daughter help you understand your kid’s behavior? Let us know in the comments below! You can also email us or DM us on social media!

Take Care!