the parent exploits the child’s attachment needs and willingness to internalize the parental guilt and shame (It’s my fault, Mommy, I’m sorry), and over time the child detaches from their own needs and becomes a de facto babysitter of the narcissistic parent. From there on, internalization of shame and blame and taking responsibility for others become reflexive in all relationships.[4] Children cannot divorce their parents, so they must adjust to the antagonistic conditions, and that adjustment looks like self-blame.
