Mental wellbeing: When a child becomes the caregiver
Summary
Parentification can push children into emotionally caring for parents before they are ready, leaving long-term effects on attachment, anxiety and the ability to receive love. Psychologist Shristi Kharel explains how healthy boundaries and adult support can help restore a child’s role as a child.
Key Points
- Children who manage a parent’s emotions may appear mature, but often lose the chance to experience care, safety and emotional security in childhood.
- Parentification develops gradually when adults lean on a child for comfort, mediation or secrecy during stress, conflict or mental health struggles.
- As adults, parentified children may become highly empathetic and responsible but struggle with anxiety, people-pleasing and receiving love.
- Kharel says parents should seek support from other adults and reassure children that their job is simply to be a child.
