Children of narcissistic mothers face a unique set of challenges that can have a profound impact on their lives. Their mothers are self-absorbed, lack empathy, and show an excessive need for admiration and attention. As a result, children of narcissistic mothers suffer from 10 symptoms that can affect them throughout their lives, unless they take the necessary steps to heal.

Characteristics of a narcissistic mother

Every mother-son relationship is unique and complex, however, children of narcissistic mothers have great difficulty dealing with the dynamic created by their mother.

Below are the most common traits of narcissistic mothers.

Self-centeredness

Narcissistic mothers often put their own needs first and expect their children to prioritize them above all else.

They may display an excessive need for admiration and approval from others in order to boost their ego.

In addition, they are likely to have unreasonable expectations of their children that may be difficult for the child to meet.

This sense of entitlement may lead them to try to manipulate or control their children in order to get the attention they crave and validation of themselves.

Insensitivity

Narcissistic mothers tend to be overly critical and unresponsive to their children’s feelings or needs.

They may belittle their children or make them feel unimportant.

In addition, they are likely to use guilt and shame in order to manipulate the child into complying with their demands and desires.

This can lead to confusion and emotional turmoil for their son as he tries to navigate the complexities of this relationship.

neglected

Narcissistic mothers may neglect or fail to provide the physical, emotional, and psychological care their children need.

This can lead to feelings of abandonment, insecurity and low self-esteem in the child because he is not receiving the love and attention he needs from his mother figure.

This lack of maternal support can have long-term effects on the child’s development and sense of self-worth.

Manipulation

Narcissistic mothers often use manipulative tactics in order to assert control over their children and maintain power in the relationship.

Guilt is a common tool used by this type of mother, as she tries to convince her child to obey or submit.

This type of manipulation can make a child feel helpless, confused, and weak.

Unpredictable

The behavior of narcissistic mothers can be unpredictable and inconsistent, leaving their children feeling constantly confused and stressed.

She may fluctuate between being caring and kind one day, and being cold and distant the next.

This erratic behavior can be very worrying for the child and lead to feelings of anxiety about how he or she will act in any given situation.

Exploitative

Narcissistic mothers may try to exploit their children emotionally by taking advantage of them or using them as a source of attention and validation.

This can be manifested by the mother relying too heavily on her child for emotional support, manipulating the child to take care of his or her needs, or expecting favors from the child in exchange for love or approval.

These exploitative behaviors are harmful and can make a child feel trapped and helpless.

Jealous

A narcissistic mother may feel intense envy and jealousy of her child’s success, achievements, or relationships with others.

This can lead to her feeling threatened, making her resentful and hostile toward the child.

This, in turn, can cause tension and conflict between mother and child, as she seeks to undermine or sabotage their successes due to her feelings of insecurity.

blaming

A narcissistic mother is often quick to blame her child for any problems that arise within her or the family, rather than taking responsibility for her own actions and mistakes.

She may shift her faults onto her child by accusing him of causing problems or creating drama.

This serves as a way for the mother to distance herself from any wrongdoing, even if she ultimately bears it.

Fixed expectations

A narcissistic mother may have strict expectations for her child that are difficult to meet due to her own unrealistic ideals.

These expectations can be very difficult, and can set the child up for failure no matter how hard he tries to please his mother.

This can lead to a child feeling inferior, feeling that nothing they do is good enough.