The Evidence That One of Your Parents Is a Narcissist

Not every parent wins the award for Best Parent Alive, but if one of your parents is a narcissist, life can be really tough. How can you tell if a parent is a narcissist? Well, ask yourself these questions:

• My father/mother shows no interest in my problems.
• My father/mother mostly sees me as something decorative—nice to show off, but I shouldn’t be difficult, complicated, or time-consuming.
• My father/mother often makes me feel like I’m not good enough.
• My father/mother often makes me feel that their happiness depends on my achievements.
• My father/mother often reminds me of all they’ve sacrificed for me. I immediately think of the scene in *The Morning Show*, where Jennifer Aniston tells her daughter she was completely torn during childbirth and that her daughter should be more grateful for it.
• Did you feel like you were never good enough?
• Did your father or mother have a special preference for one of the children?

If you answered “yes” to many of these questions, it’s very possible that your father or mother is a narcissist.

It’s important to set clear boundaries because narcissists tend to overstep them. But you always have the right to protect and maintain your own limits. I would recommend, in cases of narcissism, seeking guidance from a therapist who can help you navigate this process. The key thing to know is that you cannot change someone else—but you are fully capable of taking control of your own life from this point forward.