Can a Narcissistic Parent Truly Love Their Children? Examining Love Through the Lens of Narcissism

Jan 15, 2025

∙ Paid

A symbolic illustration of a child sitting between two large shadowy figures, representing narcissistic parents. One figure holds a puppet string attached to the child, while the other figure holds a mask of innocence. The child looks confused and sad, clutching a small photo of themselves with an unseen parent. The background features a fragmented heart and a scale of justice tipped heavily to one side. The overall tone is somber, using dark shadows and muted colors to emphasize the emotional weight and manipulation in the scene.

When a parent lies to keep the other parent away from their children—fabricating stories, making false accusations in court, and creating an alternate reality for their kids—questions naturally arise about the authenticity of their love. Are they truly capable of loving their children unconditionally, or is their "love" something entirely different?

This…

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