This so accurately describes both of P’s kids, it’s chilling. Obviously kids are smart and they know that their Mom isn’t like other Moms. She’s not interested in what they think or how they feel and she never has been. But how do you tell a kid that their Mom makes them feel like crap because she’s not capable of empathy? How do you make them believe that it has absolutely NOTHING to do with them and never will? And most importantly how do you help them heal so that they are able to grow up and lead happy, healthy lives full of love and acceptance? And as a parent why would you ever choose to keep living with the person who is responsible for making them unhappy? Just because she gave birth to them and seemingly loved them when they were adorable toddlers? He better than anyone should realize the scars that are left from emotional trauma in childhood.
Adult Children of Narcissists
You were “parentified” as a kid, taking on the role of a parent to be emotionally and psychologically responsible for the well-being of your narcissistic parent, when it really should have been the other way around.
You may not have realized the stigmatizing effects that this has had on you until you grew up into your own person. It takes a toll on the self-esteem, self-concept, self-worth, and altogether life satisfaction. During childhood, siblings often mistake “parentification” as favoritism and resent or compete with you. Quite the burden, I’d say.
There are typically two types of responses displayed by parentified children. Let me know if these sound familiar.
You have the compliant response and the siege response.
The compliant response is much what it sounds like, complacency reigns supreme in your adult life. You may spend a great deal of time caring for others (much like you had to do growing up), always trying to please those around you, and do whatever it takes to maintain a harmonious atmosphere, which usually means that your needs are put on the back burner. This may have caused you to be self-deprecating, feeling that you can give and give, but it will never be good enough.
Then there is the siege response, the complete opposite of the compliant adult child of a narcissist. If this is/was you, then you were probably defiant and rebellious, protecting yourself by becoming less sensitive or walled off and extremely independent.
You would do whatever you had to do to manipulate others and treat them as if they are the parents who wanted you to meet their every expectation. This is more or less a passive-aggressive attack on your parents through other people, doing to others what you wish you could’ve done to your narcissistic parent.
The fear of abandonment is a common theme among children with a narcissistic parent, as you may know. Always having to earn love from them and knowing that it can be taken away if the needs of your parent are not met is a heavy load for any child to carry, especially when you are the one that needs to be nurtured, shown empathy, and be taken care of.
This can carry on into adulthood, feeling that you need to perform to the standards set by your spouse or significant other. You might feel that you are only there to serve your counterpart, always feeling less skilled and deserving than the other, and doing whatever is needed to prove yourself in the relationship.
In many families with a narcissistic parent, children are used as pawns and played off one another for the amusement of the parent. If you have brothers and/or sisters this may be familiar to you. There is typically a golden child and one or more scapegoats.
Usually, the daughters of narcissistic mothers are chosen as the scapegoats, while the son(s) are chosen as the golden child(ren).
Your narcissistic mother may have cast you in all of these roles, abruptly changing your purpose when it suited her needs. This sudden demotion or promotion can be enraging or devastating to a child. Which role or roles did you play?
The golden child is the extension of the narcissistic parent, the perfect child that can do no wrong and is mirrored as a replication of the parent’s wonderfulness. Proper boundaries are not made between the golden child and the narcissistic parent, giving a sense of oneness between the two that leaves little or no room for the child to develop his or her own identity. As this adult child of a narcissist grows, he or she feels entitled to this same treatment, expecting others to act in the same way the parent did. Sound familiar?
Then there is the scapegoat, the outcast, the family member or members that take the blame for anything and everything that goes wrong. This child can never measure up to the golden child, even if he or she has greater accomplishments or does better in their life than the puppet of the parent.
Scapegoats are always seeking approval only to be turned down and made to feel inadequate for even attempting to outshine the golden child. This can cause a major rift between siblings, always competing with one another in a lose-lose situation where the referee is not fairly judging the players. Does that hit close to home?
As the scapegoat grows and ventures out into the world of freedom, they have a firmer grasp on their independence than the golden child does, as that child has never been allowed to be independent in their life.
I guess you can say that, retrospectively, the scapegoat is the lucky one. You may or may not agree. Typically, scapegoats can break free from the twisted and distorted dynamics of their dysfunctional family, and break the ties binding them to the abusive life that they were forced to lead. They have more of an opportunity to create a healthy life outside of their family.
However, the burdens they carried from childhood can still play a role in their adult lives. In the workplace, the scapegoat has a tendency to be overworked and underpaid even if their work is superior to others. They can be marginalized and never have the sense that they fit in comfortably with those around them, much like how they felt during childhood.
Scapegoats often do realize that this is a problem and are more apt to seek out professional help and psychotherapy than their other family members. If you happened to be the scapegoat in your family and have taken the steps to recover, you may have sought support from many different sources including meditation, spirituality, and truly loving relationships. What things have helped you to heal and have a better life? I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
With your narcissistic parent, you were most likely devalued and extremely under-appreciated. In the larger world away from the old narcissistic family system, you have the opportunity to be valued for your opinions, values and needs.
You find you can find others who allow you to express yourself and give a nurturing response to your own beliefs and needs. It can help you to recognize that you are an adequate human with positive attributes and skills to share with the world.
You learn that it is not your fault that your parent did not love you or show any empathy towards you, which is something that you really need—to be rid of the guilt and weight you have borne for so long.
No siblings. Only child.
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So u got to deal with all of it? Holy shit! I’m so sorry xo
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Yep, all on me.
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I can’t even imagine. Hugs to u xo
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And that part about the child “raising” the parent? Spot-fucking -on!!!
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And, just to be clear, I was NEVER thought of as the golden boy they referred to. Quite the opposite actually.
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Do u have siblings?
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Nope, only child. I hit the rebellion when I left home. Farted around, flunked outta school, moved to New Orleans got arrested a couple times. Finally got my shit together though, about a year before I met my wife.
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Yeah P’s daughter got an F in conduct and she’s 13! Full on rebellion since age 11.
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I was the “pleaser” and the “parent” while still at home. When I went to college though, all hell broke loose. Man, I was self destructing. At some point I got it together and finished school, met my wife, etc. I give her credit for saving me in a way. She gave me a reason “to”. Ya know, a purpose. Was lost and floating on the breeze. Still am to a degree I guess. Much work to do still.
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You have never seemed lost or floating to me. I think you are very grounded.
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Oh man. I’m not a well adjusted, confident human….I just play one on TV. 😜
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LOL really?
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Lol! Of course not! I suck at acting! Unless its putting on the brave face for the general public. Not even really that great at doing that. From my posts I guess one could tell I tend wear stuff on my sleeve.
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I wear my heart on my sleeve too lol
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Can be a curse, huh? I used to not show emotion, even though I surely had them. Never wanted to show my cards, ya know? Past few years though, I’m like those folks who suffer cardiac events and cry at the drop of a hat. You’ll know where I stand now…and it’s not pretty sometimes. Again, thank you. I look forward to reading your posts. You’ve been very cool! Much gratitude!!!
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It is definitely a blessing and a curse lol. Just who I am. U look forward to my posts? Dude it triggered u lol. I like knowing where I stand actually. Life is way too short for bs 🙂
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I needed to be triggered. I’d rather be triggered, face it, process it, then move on as opposed to suppressing it, ignore it, and let it fester then, BAM!!!!, I cause a scene at Xmas or something crazy like that. The latter is how I dealt with shit for years, kinda done with that route now. So, yes, thank you!
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Good! That’s how my parents raised us. Being irish, my Mom hated when no one talked about the big pink elephant in the room lol. Drove her nuts n I’m same way. She said face your problems, deal with them, figure it out n u will be much happier in life. She was right. I’m glad u got that memo already lol. Hugs xo
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Your mom sounds like smart cookie!
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Yup she really was. N she loved to laugh. Like ur MIL.
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Exactly! At least one shining star in a life is absolutely necessary.
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Yes n I was so lucky she was my Mom 🙂
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Exceptionally lucky! However you get one though, cherish it though! I’m happy for you to have had that
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Thanks and I’m 1/2 a shining star cause she made me lol. I’m glad you had your MIL. Just wish they both hadn’t burned out but that tends to happen with the brightest stars ya know?
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Sure as hell does! I’d need a legal pad and a pack of pens to list em all! Good thing you’re only half! 😃
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Lol ur funny!
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Every now and then
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My god! This article made me think of things I’d thought I had repressed forever. Holy shit, dude! I had the compliant response, to a f$&@ing tee. I still do to some degree. I even chose a career that serves others. This caused major issues for my marriage. I’d either feel like a doormat or play peacemaking-mr-nice-guy. Either way, I’d build resentment, in both myself and my wife. I’m still self-deprecating, to a fault if you ask her. I learned how to change some of this through my own thoughts and studies. Some during therapy. I’d never really truly attributed my issues to my moms narcissism. But dang, this article hits home…HARD. After reading this, I have the same mentally exhausted, mind-racing with thoughts feeling that I always did after therapy sessions. Thank you for posting this. It has laid it on me. Whew! I need a walk now.
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I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to trigger you. Are you ok?
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Yeah, sorry, I’m ok. I guess trigger is a good way to put. Not your fault, at all. Please don’t think it was.
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I know thanks but still sucks. You should be so proud of yourself for leading a happy life after growing up with a narcissist Mom. It cannot have been easy but u have a great wife n kids. Hugs xo
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I’m still not “normal” by any means. Yesterday proved that to me. I am not as far along as I thought, evidently. Still have some work to do. That article showed me that. Thank you for posting it
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What do u mean? A trigger occurs because of a past trauma not because u need to do something. U are happy n healthy. U cant change what was done to u in the past. And who the hell is normal? Lol
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I know all that, I do. Have to remind myself that it’s not my fault. What IS in my control is how I deal with it. That’s what I obviously need more work on. Thanks for that post. It made me realize things aren’t quite as resolved as I naively thought they were. It was a kick to the nads for sure, but that’s just what I needed. Thought of a song today that kinda applies to how I view this blogging, talking to you and Sabiscuit, seeing that article. It’s called “Right On Time” by Dawes. Feel like some cosmic force has led me to start my blog and then have access to y’all. I can’t thank you guys enough for welcoming me here. Y’all help me more than you’ll know. Thanks!
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It is 100% not ur fault. U must remember that! Yes, I have always believed things n people often come to me just when needed. I only really started blogging 6 months ago and it has helped me tremendously. U help me too so I’m glad it’s mutual 🙂
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You guys have been an unexpected gift. I’m thankful.
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That’s nice to hear. Thank you 🙂
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Oh, no no no, thank you!
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We can do this all day lol. No thank u heehee
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Oh, no no no …..just kidding!
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🙂
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P grew up compliant n his son is too. Daughter is the scapegoat rebel.
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