Signs You Were Parentified as a Child

• Become aware. Accept that you have an inner child and get to know it.
• Get to know what your inner child needs. What we did not receive from our caregivers as children is often exactly what we need.
• Take responsibility. You have to recognize that it wasn’t fair and it hurt. Now you are the adult saddled with the responsibility of re-parenting yourself.
• Become a parent and friend to your inner child. Take inventory of what you did not receive as a child and what needs still need to be met.

Find a way to honor your inner child consistently by offering what it might need.

• Structure: Create structure in your day through routine, scheduling, or having a set bedtime or wake up time.
• Play and Freedom: Add moments of safe play in your life.
• Community: Look for people that share the same values and allow you to be yourself.
• Love and Positive Reinforcement: Speak kindly to yourself and spend time with people that do the same.
• Safety and Security: Create a space that you can go to and feel safe and secure.
• Emotional Health: Allow yourself to feel and experience emotions.