Were you the “mature one” growing up? The old soul. The responsible one. The mediator. The easy child who never needed anything.

In this episode of Sessions for the Soul, we’re diving into parentification — what it is, how it happens, and how it quietly shapes anxiety, codependency, over-functioning, and relationship patterns in adulthood.

We explore:

Emotional vs. instrumental parentification

Being the family mediator or caretaker

The “old soul” identity and why it might not be a compliment

How childhood survival roles show up in adult relationships

Attracting emotionally unavailable partners

Difficulty resting or receiving support

Healing, re-parenting, and grieving the childhood you didn’t fully get to have

We also open up about real-life experiences, sibling dynamics, generational patterns, and what it means to consciously break cycles.

If you grew up too fast, felt responsible for your parents’ emotions, or struggle with feeling needed to feel safe — this conversation is for you.

It’s nuanced. It’s tender. And it might change how you see your childhood.

✨ You deserved to be a child.

Keywords: parentification, childhood trauma, emotional maturity, codependency, anxious attachment, over-functioning, reparenting, generational trauma, emotionally unavailable partners, healing childhood wounds.

Want your question to be featured in a future episode? Complete the anonymous form here: https://bit.ly/3UtjiiO

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sessionsforthesoul.podcast/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SessionsfortheSoul.podcast

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sessionsforthesoul.pod

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.wandernweave.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thetrustyone/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_thetrustyone

Website: https://www.pnwellbeing.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_pnwellbeing/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_pnwellbeing

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PNWellbeing