Counsellor John Cowan joins Andrew Urquhart to unpack "parentification" - the role reversal where a child takes on inappropriate levels of responsibility within a family, whether caring for siblings, managing a disabled or unwell parent, or becoming a parent's emotional confidant (sometimes called "spousification").



Cowan warns that while short-term caregiving can build empathy, prolonged parentification - often falling to eldest daughters - can leave adults with a fragile "false self," chronic guilt at receiving help, and anxiety over never being perfect enough. He encourages those affected to recognise the pattern wasn't chosen, deliberately reclaim missed experiences like play and rest, and practise handing responsibilities back to family members rather than automatically stepping in as the fixer.



Tune into Thoughts & Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.

For more from the show, visit the Thoughts & Comments page at rhema.co.nz.

Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Counsellor John Cowan joins Andrew Urquhart to unpack "parentification" - the role reversal where a child takes on inappropriate levels of responsibility within a family, whether caring for siblings, managing a disabled or unwell parent, or becoming a parent's emotional confidant (sometimes called "spousification"). Cowan warns that while short-term caregiving can build empathy, prolonged parentification - often falling to eldest daughters - can leave adults with a fragile "false self," chronic guilt at receiving help, and anxiety over never being perfect enough. He encourages those affected to recognise the pattern wasn't chosen, deliberately reclaim missed experiences like play and rest, and practise handing responsibilities back to family members rather than automatically stepping in as the fixer. Tune into Thoughts &amp; Comments from 10:00am - 2:00pm on the Rhema Media App.For more from the show, visit the <a href="https://www.rhema.co.nz/listen-on-demand/video-podcast/thoughts-and-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thoughts &amp; Comments</a> page at rhema.co.nz.Produced using AI tools under human supervision.

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts &amp; Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience. In each episode, Andrew chats with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We&rsquo;ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts & Comments Podcast

Thoughts & Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, chatting with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We’ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts & Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.

Thoughts &amp; Comments brings social commentary to current issues and a faith perspective to the latest news. Hosted by Andrew Urquhart, a seasoned broadcaster with over three decades of experience, chatting with a wide range of guests and experts who bring their wisdom and insight to a huge variety of topics, including politics, psychology, societal trends, theology, geopolitical analysis, social policy, and spirituality. We&rsquo;ll give you something worth thinking about! Thoughts &amp; Comments with Andrew Urquhart, wherever you get your Podcasts.