Narcissism Glossary

Adult roles loaded onto a young child (parentification)

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ A dysfunctional pattern that hands children adult responsibilities beyond their years โ€” the parent's emotional care, the household's finances, the family's conflicts.

Past the picture of a good child helping out, it's an abnormal relationship that straps an adult's heavy load onto a young child.

Often seen in situations like these

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ The parent keeps confiding marital problems and life's burdens to the child.
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ A young child gets excessive charge of the younger siblings and the housework.

When this happens, try this

๐Ÿ’ก Ask whether, even as an adult, you're still trying to fix everyone's feelings. Writing two lists โ€” what's yours to handle, and what's theirs to solve โ€” helps.

Topic Family roles & structure ยท Term Parentification ยท Also known as Parentification

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