Mom’s Shocking Lunch Request Sparks Family Drama: Why One Son Is Suddenly the Outcast at the Table
Due to various reasons, parental responsibilities sometimes fall on children’s shoulders
Image credits: Garakta-Studio / envato (not the actual photo)
This mom also tried to burden her teen with taking care of his sibling’s lunches, but he firmly refused
Image credits: valeriygoncharukphoto / envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: FromFripped
It’s acceptable to assign parental responsibilities to children, but it has to be done with boundaries
Parent partner and certified life coach for teens and young adults, Jennifer Brown tells Bored Panda that it’s acceptable for parents to assign parental responsibilities to their children, like helping to take care of siblings. However, it has to be done with boundaries in mind.
“Many parents I work with are exhausted, juggling more than they ever expected. In moments of overwhelm, asking an older child to step in and help can feel like the next logical step in keeping the family afloat. And in some ways, it can be a positive experience. When it’s age-appropriate and approached with clear communication, older siblings can grow in empathy, responsibility, and confidence. It can even strengthen sibling bonds,” she explains.
But as mentioned before, it has to be done with intention. “Without crossing the line into long-term emotional or logistical dependency on the child,” says Brown. “The key factor is that your older child does not become a substitute for a caregiver or spouse.”
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