Narcissistic Mother Dictionary
What they say
What they mean
I love you.
1) I want to manipulate you.
2) You’re showing signs of breaking away and I want to suck you back in.
3) I’ve heard people say this and it seems to get a good reaction.
4) I command you to love me.
Don't ever feel like you HAVE to come see me for my birthday.
If you don’t make the 650 mile pilgrimage to celebrate me, I promise I will do something to make you pay dearly.
Go do something constructive.
Be gone, I have no interest in my own children.
You were an "accident".
You are only here because homicide would get me jail time, and I thought you’d be a better slave, so I didn’t opt for adoption.
You go have yourself a good cry!
I resent your emotions, but at least I can use them to hurt you.
I never said that!
1) Damned if I’m going to admit it.
2) Yes I said that but it doesn’t work in the conversation right now.
3) I know I said it but it’s so much fun to f*** with your head until you don’t know what is true and you think you really are crazy! Yeah me!!!
It's been a long time since I talked to you and I just called to see how you were doing.
1) I am running low on my Narcissistic Supply and need another fix.
2) I don’t care how you’re doing; I really just want to talk about me.
You just aren't remembering correctly.
My version of events shows me in a better light, so that’s the official version.
You never do anything for me!
I know you’ve done a lot for me in the past, but that was then and it no longer counts. What have you done for me today?
It's time this stops.
None of my ploys have worked to pull you back so now I will treat you like a child.
I miss you.
1) I miss having control over you.
2) I’m lacking my Narcissistic Supply – please provide it pronto.
Who have you been talking to? Who have you been in therapy with? what book did you read? etc, etc, etc....
I’m not getting the usual emotional response from you and you are too dim-witted to have figured out how to shut me down on your own.
Your brother and sister-in-law took us out to dinner last night. We had such a nice time - I don't think we have ever been treated that well.
You had better step up your game.
I'm so proud of you.
1 You have made me feel good and/or *I* feel good because of you.
2) I can take credit for that accomplishment.
Why are you wasting your time on something so silly and that takes you away from your family?
Why are you wasting your time on something so silly and that takes you away from me?
I want to help you with your kids.
I plan to interfere in the upbringing of your children by spoiling them, disciplining them differently to your way, and ignoring your decisions and wishes regarding them. I will not acknowledge your position and rights as the mother of these children. I may even steal them from you.
Your father and I think ...
I think …
So how are you?
1) I’d better ask, but don’t worry I won’t really be listening. Or as soon as you say a trigger word, which reminds me of something else, I’ll interrupt and be off again!
2) I’m running out of things to boast to my friends about, so please come up with some accomplishments.
I'm so sorry your beloved dog died.
Sigh … I’d better at least mention it, and let you talk for one, maybe two, sentences about your upset and grief, and then I can talk about myself again.
You were always my problem child.
You resisted my attempts to violate your boundaries, abuse you and humiliate you.
It's so sad. I feel so sorry for them.
It’s so exciting! I love being this close to tragedies! I feel so important!
I'm sorry.
1) I will, on rare occasion, say the words but never change my behaviour.
2) Sigh, I’ll say it if it’ll stop you moaning, but don’t worry, I don’t mean it.
Let's just draw a line under it and get back to normal.
1) Let’s pretend everything is ok and I’m not a nightmare of a mother so I can continue to torture you and get my Narcissistic Supply.
2) Let me play my narcissist’s game of never being held accountable for my behaviour.
Your sister-in-law is such a great cook! Simply amazing!
I want to take away any pleasure or pride you have in your own cooking skills.
I just want you to love me.
All I really want is for you give me my Narcissistic Supply.
What’s wrong with you today? What is your problem?
I’m pissed that you are denying me my much needed Narcissistic Supply. Damn you!
Honestly, nothing ever pleases you, does it? Sigh.
You have to let me treat you exactly as I please, without ever complaining.
I was only trying to help!
I demand the freedom to interfere in your life any time I want.
That is my right!
What happened to the nice girl I once knew?
Why are you no longer the easily manipulated and uncomplaining-of-abuse girl I raised you to be?
After all I’ve done for you! You’ve never appreciated me!
Wah wah wah I have violated your boundaries most of your life but even so I resent the hell out of your standing your ground and refusing to allow me to interfere, manipulate and control you.
Why are you treating me so badly? What have I done wrong?
I have the right to interfere in your life and abuse you without any consequences.
Because I'm the Mama, that's why!
You are really just a child, after all. I’ll never acknowledge that you are now an adult.
I want to give you this because I love you.
It’s really because you will then be beholden to me and this gives me great leverage to milk you for Narcissistic Supply.
You're always looking for insult.
I will not be held accountable for my actions and behaviours!
You are so easily offended.
I will not be held accountable for my actions and behaviours!
I have to walk on eggshells around you.
I will not be held accountable for my actions and behaviours!
You're over-sensitive.
I will not be held accountable for my actions and behaviours!
I never want to be a burden to you.
I will over-run your life and suck the life force from you and your children.
Have you lost some weight?
I am so glad that I brought that sticky bun with me on this visit.
You take me the wrong way.
I will invalidate your feelings as I have done your whole life.
You're so good at [specific thing]!
You got that from me!
You don't respect me!
You won’t let me abuse you.
You won't forgive me!
1) You won’t let me away with what I did, nor let me continue to trample all over you.
2) I expect forgiveness with no apology and no intention of doing differently in future.
Well, have a think about it and get back to me.
I am not accepting your decision/opinion. Keep thinking until you come to the correct conclusion.
I was just joking even if I did say and do that, which I didn't.
I did say/do it, and I did mean it, but damned if I’m going to acknowledge that.
You just won't admit when you're wrong.
You defended yourself from my lies!
Here's a gift.
Here is something, very likely something I have no more use for, that I am officially giving to you. But it is still mine, and therefore I get to say, forever more, what you do with it. And woebetide you don’t appreciate it enough, over and over.
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Narcissistic Mother Dictionary
What they say
What they mean
I love you.
1) I want to manipulate you.
2) You’re showing signs of breaking away and I want to suck you back in.
3) I’ve heard people say this and it seems to get a good reaction.
4) I command you to love me.
Don't ever feel like you HAVE to come see me for my birthday.
If you don’t make the 650 mile pilgrimage to celebrate me, I promise I will do something to make you pay dearly.
How To Go No Contact Even When You Think You Can't
Check out my new resource which will hold your hand as it guides you through the possibility and -- if you so choose - the process of going No Contact in peace and power.
Go do something constructive.
Be gone, I have no interest in my own children.
You were an "accident".
You are only here because homicide would get me jail time, and I thought you’d be a better slave, so I didn’t opt for adoption.
You go have yourself a good cry!
I resent your emotions, but at least I can use them to hurt you.
I never said that!
1) Damned if I’m going to admit it.
2) Yes I said that but it doesn’t work in the conversation right now.
3) I know I said it but it’s so much fun to f*** with your head until you don’t know what is true and you think you really are crazy! Yeah me!!!
It's been a long time since I talked to you and I just called to see how you were doing.
1) I am running low on my Narcissistic Supply and need another fix.
2) I don’t care how you’re doing; I really just want to talk about me.
You just aren't remembering correctly.
My version of events shows me in a better light, so that’s the official version.
You never do anything for me!
I know you’ve done a lot for me in the past, but that was then and it no longer counts. What have you done for me today?
It's time this stops.
None of my ploys have worked to pull you back so now I will treat you like a child.
I miss you.
1) I miss having control over you.
2) I’m lacking my Narcissistic Supply – please provide it pronto.
Who have you been talking to? Who have you been in therapy with? what book did you read? etc, etc, etc....
I’m not getting the usual emotional response from you and you are too dim-witted to have figured out how to shut me down on your own.
Your brother and sister-in-law took us out to dinner last night. We had such a nice time - I don't think we have ever been treated that well.
You had better step up your game.
I'm so proud of you.
1 You have made me feel good and/or *I* feel good because of you.
2) I can take credit for that accomplishment.
Why are you wasting your time on something so silly and that takes you away from your family?
Why are you wasting your time on something so silly and that takes you away from me?
I want to help you with your kids.
I plan to interfere in the upbringing of your children by spoiling them, disciplining them differently to your way, and ignoring your decisions and wishes regarding them. I will not acknowledge your position and rights as the mother of these children. I may even steal them from you.
Your father and I think ...
I think …
So how are you?
1) I’d better ask, but don’t worry I won’t really be listening. Or as soon as you say a trigger word, which reminds me of something else, I’ll interrupt and be off again!
2) I’m running out of things to boast to my friends about, so please come up with some accomplishments.
I'm so sorry your beloved dog died.
Sigh … I’d better at least mention it, and let you talk for one, maybe two, sentences about your upset and grief, and then I can talk about myself again.
You were always my problem child.
You resisted my attempts to violate your boundaries, abuse you and humiliate you.
It's so sad. I feel so sorry for them.
It’s so exciting! I love being this close to tragedies! I feel so important!
I'm sorry.
1) I will, on rare occasion, say the words but never change my behaviour.
2) Sigh, I’ll say it if it’ll stop you moaning, but don’t worry, I don’t mean it.
Let's just draw a line under it and get back to normal.
1) Let’s pretend everything is ok and I’m not a nightmare of a mother so I can continue to torture you and get my Narcissistic Supply.
2) Let me play my narcissist’s game of never being held accountable for my behaviour.
Your sister-in-law is such a great cook! Simply amazing!
I want to take away any pleasure or pride you have in your own cooking skills.
I just want you to love me.
All I really want is for you give me my Narcissistic Supply.
What’s wrong with you today? What is your problem?
I’m pissed that you are denying me my much needed Narcissistic Supply. Damn you!
Honestly, nothing ever pleases you, does it? Sigh.
You have to let me treat you exactly as I please, without ever complaining.
I was only trying to help!
I demand the freedom to interfere in your life any time I want.
That is my right!
What happened to the nice girl I once knew?
Why are you no longer the easily manipulated and uncomplaining-of-abuse girl I raised you to be?
After all I’ve done for you! You’ve never appreciated me!
Wah wah wah I have violated your boundaries most of your life but even so I resent the hell out of your standing your ground and refusing to allow me to interfere, manipulate and control you.
Why are you treating me so badly? What have I done wrong?
I have the right to interfere in your life and abuse you without any consequences.
Because I'm the Mama, that's why!
You are really just a child, after all. I’ll never acknowledge that you are now an adult.
I want to give you this because I love you.
It’s really because you will then be beholden to me and this gives me great leverage to milk you for Narcissistic Supply.
You're always looking for insult.
I will not be held accountable for my actions and behaviours!
You are so easily offended.
I will not be held accountable for my actions and behaviours!
I have to walk on eggshells around you.
I will not be held accountable for my actions and behaviours!
You're over-sensitive.
I will not be held accountable for my actions and behaviours!
I never want to be a burden to you.
I will over-run your life and suck the life force from you and your children.
Have you lost some weight?
I am so glad that I brought that sticky bun with me on this visit.
You take me the wrong way.
I will invalidate your feelings as I have done your whole life.
You're so good at [specific thing]!
You got that from me!
You don't respect me!
You won’t let me abuse you.
You won't forgive me!
1) You won’t let me away with what I did, nor let me continue to trample all over you.
2) I expect forgiveness with no apology and no intention of doing differently in future.
Well, have a think about it and get back to me.
I am not accepting your decision/opinion. Keep thinking until you come to the correct conclusion.
I was just joking even if I did say and do that, which I didn't.
I did say/do it, and I did mean it, but damned if I’m going to acknowledge that.
You just won't admit when you're wrong.
You defended yourself from my lies!
Here's a gift.
Here is something, very likely something I have no more use for, that I am officially giving to you. But it is still mine, and therefore I get to say, forever more, what you do with it. And woebetide you don’t appreciate it enough, over and over.
Knowledge is only the first step.
Then it's time to recover and heal and thrive.