Signs
Taking care of siblings or other relatives because a parent is unable to
Instrumental Parentification
Changes in the Brain
On going stress can: shrink the hippocampus (the part of the brain that regulates memory, emotion, and stress management)
examples of social isolation
isolating in their room, strong consistent desire to play alone
Name 5 healthy coping skills for kids
Deep breaths, taking space, talking about feelings, asking for help, asking for a hug
When the roles of parent and child are reversed. Parents look to their children for emotional and/or practical support, rather than providing it.
Parentification
Providing emotional comfort and support to a parent.
What is emotional-based parentification?
What disorders are comorbid with parentification?
Greater risk of anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.
2 examples of unrelenting worry
Name 2 ways of reminding your child what they're responsibilities and roles in the family are?
1. I'm here to keep you safe.
2. You seem really worried about that. It's mom's job to take care of _______ (sibling, cooking dinner, financial issues, housing, dcfs, etc.). Its your job to have fun and be a kid!
Caregiving directed toward the parent or primary caregiver.
What is Parent-focused parentification?
Acting as a confidant for their parent
What is secret keeping?
excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner is an example of what impact?
What is Difficulty functioning independently?
stomachaches, headaches, etc.
Physical symptoms of anxiety and depression
Name 3 Healthy Boundaries to hold with your children
1. Adults can take care of their own feelings
2. Its moms job to take care of your sibling(s)
3. Adult problems are adult problems
When children take on emotional responsibilities...
Emotional Parentification
Serving as a translator in families where the parent does not speak the primary language of their resident country.
What is instrumental parentification?
Secretly checking their romantic partners phones or using guilt to get what they want is an example of what impact?
Involvement in violent or otherwise unhealthy relationships
Your child can’t finish projects because they think their work isn’t good enough or they rip up their papers whenever they make a mistake
Perfectionism, compulsive overworking
Examples of structure and routine
Having a set bedtime or wake up time. Commit to things and follow through.
When children take on practical responsibilities...
What is Instrumental Parentification?
Offering advice to a parent
What is parent-focused parentification?
Trouble accepting limits and boundaries set by caregivers is an example of what impact?
Inability to trust others, Inappropriate sense of entitlement or authority
Lying to caregivers and authorities, "hiding the truth", physically hiding themselves
Feelings of guilt and shame
Examples of encouragement, healthy open and honest communication, understanding and validating parentified children, examples of age appropriate interactions with children
"You care about your sister so much"
"I know you're so worried about that! Mommy will keep you and your sibling safe"
"I know you really want to put your sibling to bed, but that's mommy's job. Would you like to read a story with us?"
" I know you really want to hold ___ (baby), but its mom's job to take care of them. Would you like to play with them?"
kids may feel confused or blame themselves if they know a parent is unhappy but don’t understand what’s making them sad.
What is Internalization?