02/11/2025
A narcissist isn't interested in truly raising, nurturing, or supporting children in any meaningful way. They don’t care about the child’s emotional growth, mental well-being, or moral development. Their concern isn’t about teaching responsibility, offering guidance, or being present through life’s ups and downs. What they truly want is to appear as the perfect parent to the outside world, to gain admiration, approval, and validation from others.
They will orchestrate moments that look good in photos, social media, or public appearances, but behind closed doors, the reality is very different. The child’s needs, feelings, and struggles are ignored, dismissed, or manipulated to serve the narcissist’s agenda. Love from a narcissist is conditional—it’s given only when it reflects positively on them.
They will exploit their children as tools to elevate their own image, create stories of “sacrifice” or “dedication,” and ensure everyone believes they are the ideal parent. But in truth, their parenting is performative, shallow, and self-serving. The child suffers silently, learning that love can be transactional, that validation matters more than care, and that parental attention can be weaponized.
A narcissist doesn’t raise children—they raise trophies, props, and reflections of themselves. And the heartbreaking truth is, the child pays the price for a parent’s vanity.