How many of you feel like you’re dealing with a pouty child or someone throwing a tantrum, even when interacting with a fully grown adult? Maybe you’ve faced someone who can’t handle basic truths or who reacts territorially when things don’t go their way.
Whether it’s a colleague, partner, or extended family member, dealing with someone emotionally immature can be frustrating. To explore this, I’ll break down five stages of emotional and relational development. This isn’t a definitive framework, but it provides useful insight into understanding where narcissists might fall.
1. Functional Stage (Ages 0–5)
This is the earliest stage of life, where infants and toddlers focus on basic needs like safety, food, and comfort. Emotionally, they’re shallow, prone to temper tantrums, and unable to regulate their emotions well.
2. Rules and Regulations Stage (Ages 6–12)
At this stage, children learn about rules, boundaries, and consequences. They start to understand shame, guilt, and judgment. They may also exhibit anger and rebellion when denied something they want.
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