When You’re The Parent For Your Parents

Are you in that stage of life where it’s starting to feel like YOU are the parent to your parents? Or maybe it’s always been that way?

In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpacks parentification and how to recover when your parents have made you the mediator between them or put you in charge of holding onto their emotional baggage.

You'll also learn:
The emotional and developmental consequences of parentification
How you know if you've been 'parentified'
Ways you can repair yourself and your relationship with your parents
How to identify and acknowledge your inner child

Remember while Dr Anastasia Hronis is a psychologist - this podcast isn’t a diagnostic tool, and the advice and ideas presented here should always take into account your personal medical history.

If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.

00:00 What is Parentification?
01:36 Practical vs. Emotional Parentification
03:20 The Difference Between Teaching Responsibility and Parentification
03:55 Consequences of Parentification
06:01 Why Parentification Happens
08:08 The Second Wave of Parentification
09:12 What is Parental Alienation?
11:00 How to Heal from Parentification
11:50 The Five Core Emotional Needs
13:38 Reparenting Your Inner Child
15:31 Overcoming Blocks to Inner Child Work
17:25 Breaking Generational Cycles
18:30 Dilemma: Setting Boundaries with Parents
21:17 Main Takeaways