The term narcissistic parent refers to parents who are affected by narcissism. They are almost exclusively close to and possessive about their children. The parents are especially envious regarding their child growing to independence. In other words, narcissistic parents often feel senses of losses when their children grow to adulthood. The parents carry self-esteem problems and extreme needs regarding how others may look at or regard them. Children are often punished very strongly if narcissistic parents are not responded to in adequacy. The behavior of such parents is not flexible, and they have an inability to admit to their own fault or feel sympathy and empathy.