Curbing narcissism in children

We’ve all dealt with a narcissist at some point in our lives. Narcissists are simply people who have an excessive interest in themselves or an excessive admiration of themselves.

Now that you know the definition of a narcissist does anyone come to mind? If yes, have you ever wondered how those people became like that?

Well, research shows that seeds of narcissism are often sewn in childhood. Luckily enough, parents can do something to prevent their children from developing into narcissists.

I am going to be sharing 5 things parents should not do if they don’t want their child to grow up to be narcissistic.

1. Do not put excessive focus on their physical appearance

While teaching your children to understand that they are beautiful and encouraging them to speak positive affirmations over themselves is not a bad thing, making your children conceited by teaching them to base their complete identity and importance on their looks is where the problem lies.

 

Teach your children the importance of kindness and help them see that they shouldn’t focus on superficial things or look down on people because of what they have or look like but that the way that you treat people is what determines who you really are.

 

2. Do not overindulge them/ give into their every demand

Children who are narcissistic usually have all their demands met and as a result this makes them become highly inconsiderate and negligent to the fact that other people have needs. It teaches them to be selfish and overlook people’s feelings.

 

While it’s not bad to treat your children to nice things, I am sure you can agree that not every demand they give regardless of whether or not it is good or bad will be beneficial to them as this will make them become spoilt and nonchalant to the needs of others because they will believe that their needs need to be met regardless of its consequences or who it inconveniences.

 

3. Do not allow your child to be sole dictators of their own rules and boundaries

It’s not a bad thing to allow your children to have their independence or autonomy however, it is important that an adult sets boundaries around a child’s independence.

 

For instance, you cannot allow your child dictate their own bed time because you know that if you give your children that liberty, they will stay awake till as late as 2:00 am and it will affect their schedule and programming.

 

Letting your child be sole dictators will make them undisciplined and make them believe that they have their way with everything.

 

4. Do not withhold discipline when necessary

Children who are narcissistic lack empathy for other people’s feeling and are incredibly disrespectful.

 

Scolding and letting your child know that what they did is wrong will help to keep your children in check and curtail bad behavior as well as help your children exercise restraint and composure.

 

5. Do not Overlook your own negative behaviors

The truth is that children are watching your every move and most likely copying it. If you are a narcissistic personality, then the chances that you will raise narcissistic children is high because an apple doesn’t fall far from a tree.

 

Self-evaluate yourself, and be careful what you do in front of children because they are likely to emulate you

Narcissistic behavior can be curtailed at the stage of childhood. It is important that you do your part as a parent to nip this behavior in the bud however if for any reason your child grows to be narcissistic even as you have done your part let it be said that you’ve done your part.