How Parents Can Avoid Raising A Narcissist, From Psychologists

Of course, running around in the nude isn't a classic sign of narcissism, but the need for attention, along with 14 other behaviors, can be. Noticing these signs in your own kid can raise some concerns, so we asked psychologists their best tips to avoid raising a narcissist. 

It's also common for teens to act entitled and selfish toward parents and not necessarily a sign of a one-day narcissist. To get a better gauge of their personality, "Watch how they treat their peers," Durvasula says. "While they may not hit their marks with you, if they are practicing regulation and empathy with their peers, that's a good sign." 

When parents come to him with the fear of raising a narcissistic child, Campbell likes to offer a simple three-step mnemonic device: CPR, which stands for compassion, passion, and responsibility:

"Never model entitled or dysregulated behavior (e.g., treat people out in the world well; let your kids see you manage your emotions in a healthy manner)," Durvasula says. 

When someone is focused on their passions, they tend to show enthusiasm and build camaraderie around it. Any ego involved will usually melt away if they're doing it out of love, Campbell says. 

That might mean turning your child's mistakes and misbehavior into teaching moments in which you encourage your kid to directly admit to what they've done and explain why it wasn't OK. Validate your kids when they take responsibility for their actions to reinforce their habit. (E.g., saying things like, "I'm happy you owned up to that; that's a very responsible thing to do.")

For example, if your child gets every word right on the spelling test every single time, ask their teacher to give them more difficult words. This can also keep your child from becoming bored and acting out in class. It also teaches them to solve their own problems and develop a healthy level of self-efficacy, says Campbell, aka the opposite of snowplow parenting.

"As long as you have love, that tempers ego," he says. 

If your consequences aren't getting through to them and their behavior becomes increasingly difficult, consider working with a family therapist or child psychologist. Your kid may not listen to you, but a therapist may be able to monitor and identify whether these patterns are related to external issues such as bullying, anxiety, or issues with peers, Durvasula adds. 

When young children exhibit narcissistic behaviors, it's generally not too big of a concern since most of them will grow out of these personalities with time. Instilling a sense of compassion, responsibility, and emotional regulation, among other traits, can support that developmental process for the better.