Are you an adult that grew up far quicker than you should have? Maybe you were forced into the caregiver role as a child? Maybe you felt compelled to become responsible and keep the family or your parents and or sibilings safe.
In many families across multiple cultures, children play a crucial role in caregiving for their siblings and this although culturally acceptable this can bring forth challenges for kids and teens to live emotionally and psychologically healthy lives.
Some times kids can fall into the role of caregiving parents by way of emotionally, mentally, and physically attending to their needs.
This too can be another form of parentification.
Our children don’t have the ability to give consent to being born, and they cannot pick and chose their parents. We as parents and community members can work together to ensure that their lives are filled with opportunity, resilience, healthy environments, and unconditional love.
If we can all collectively encourage that our kids grow up learning to care for themselves and being mindful of others we can steer clear of parentifying our youth.
I leave you all with this question… If you could go back and relive your childhood what would your youth have looked like?
-Natasha
You are amazing at what you do!