The Iltalehti article delves into the often challenging dynamics that can arise when a grandparent exhibits narcissistic traits. Featuring insights from psychotherapist Marjut Niemelä in a podcast episode, it describes how narcissistic grandparents can impose strict and controlling rules on their grandchildren. These individuals may assert their dominance by dictating aspects of the grandchildren's upbringing, such as their education, clothing choices, and overall behavior.

Niemelä explains that narcissistic individuals often have an inflated self-image and require their family members to conform to their will, leading to significant emotional turmoil for parents who find themselves sidelined in their own children's lives. The power struggle can become quite intense, leaving parents feeling powerless and resentful, especially when the grandparent's overreach disrupts family harmony.

The article explores how narcissism manifests uniquely in family settings, detailing symptoms such as a lack of empathy, hypersensitivity to criticism, and a tendency to belittle others. It emphasizes how these traits not only affect relationships between grandparents and grandchildren but can also extend to how these behavioral patterns impact parenting styles across generations.