Kids who are perfectionistic are also prone to rigidity; they have extremes to their moods and to their reactions, so they often feel like they’re on top of the world or at the bottom of the barrel. Their self-concept is exceptionally fragile, which means there’s a relatively narrow range in which they can feel safe and happy with themselves; anything outside of that range is seemingly bad—this is why these kids shut down after things don’t go the way they want. The shutdown (“I won’t do it!” or “I’m done!” or “I’m the worst!”) isn’t a sign that they’re stubborn or spoiled but that they can’t
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