👶 What it means to have grown up with an immature parent
Growing up with an immature parent meant having a grown-up who acted more like a sibling than a caregiver, leaving you to navigate adult responsibilities with a child's understanding.
You may have lived with a parent who threw tantrums when things didn't go their way, made impulsive decisions that affected the whole family, or expected you to manage situations they couldn't handle themselves. They might have shared inappropriate details about their relationships, asked you to take sides in adult conflicts, or looked to you for emotional support during their breakdowns. You learned to be the stable one in a household where the adult was often the most childish person in the room.
This experience forced you to develop wisdom and emotional regulation far beyond your years, but it robbed you of the security that comes from having a reliable adult in charge. You may now find yourself drawn to fixing chaotic situations or attracted to partners who need constant guidance, recreating the familiar dynamic of being the responsible one in relationships with people who can't quite manage themselves.