**You are not supposed to do whatever you want, whenever you want. That is the mindset of a toddler.** But narcissists never outgrow that mindset. Emotionally, they are stunted—trapped in an early stage of development where the world revolves entirely around their wants, needs, and feelings. On the outside, they may appear like functioning adults, but dig just beneath the surface and you’ll find a child throwing tantrums in an adult’s body.

When a narcissist is told “no” or doesn’t get their way, they react the same way a toddler does—**rage, manipulation, sulking, pouting, silent treatment, or explosive outbursts.** They do not handle rejection, boundaries, or delayed gratification well, because in their minds, *wanting something* is the same as *deserving it immediately.* There’s no self-regulation, no introspection, no humility—just a relentless drive to get what they want, no matter the cost to others.

Most people, as they mature, learn that they’re not the center of the universe. They learn empathy, patience, compromise, and accountability. Narcissists don’t. They remain emotionally frozen in a phase where the word “no” feels like a personal attack instead of a normal part of life. Instead of adapting, they retaliate.

This is why dealing with a narcissist can feel like you're parenting a difficult child—one who never grows up, never says sorry, and never learns. And trying to reason with them, set boundaries, or expect accountability only enrages them more.

**Narcissists may age, but they don’t grow.** And it’s exhausting trying to build an adult relationship with someone emotionally stuck in preschool.