This episode is HEAVY. I’ve been working on myself for a few years, and in doing so I’ve uncovered some traumas and brought to light some hard truths.

In this episode, I open up about my relationship with my parents. It’s an emotional journey, and I don’t make it through without shedding a few tears.

My extremely supportive guest, Stephany Weingartner and I explore the concept of parents as friends. We talk about the challenges that come with having a more friendship-like relationship with your child, something we’ve experienced first-hand with our moms. 

We discuss some difficult situations we experienced growing up, highlighting how complex parent-child relationships can be. We both reflect on our relationships with our mothers, and examine how our situations have influenced our parenting styles, and roles within our families.

This conversation isn’t easy, but I hope that by being open and vulnerable, I can encourage others to start similar discussions in their own lives and begin the healing they deserve. I truly believe talking openly about it is the first step. 

Stephany Weingartner is a fellow mama of two young children, balancing a full-time career with the demands of parenthood. Having grown up in a single-parent household, she openly shares her experience of taking on adult responsibilities early, from household chores to caring for her younger sibling.

In this episode, we cover: 

• How the roles and responsibilities of being a parent differ from those of being a friend. 

• The challenges of parent-child role confusion and enmeshment that can occur when parents treat their children as friends.

• What happens when parents rely on their children as confidants, or lean on them for emotional support. It can create lasting effects on the child's mental well-being. 

• The concept of parentification—when children are made to take on adult-like caregiving or emotional responsibilities for their parents.

• The importance of setting boundaries, maintaining a clear parental role, and protecting children from adult burdens and responsibilities.

Resources & Links:

• Clinical psychologist Maddy Drew says while your child is still young, parents should avoid pursuing a friendship with them.

• Licensed mental health counselor Chautè Thompson explains there is a difference between being friendly with your children, and being friends. 

• This article includes the study that illustrates what could happen when children are treated as their parent’s confidant. (Koerner et al 2002)

Connect with Christine:

• Follow on Instagram

• Follow on TikTok

• Check out my website

Related Episode:

• 03. Boundary is not a dirty word - Part 1

• 04. Boundary is not a dirty word - Part 2

More about Momming as a Millennial podcast: 

Welcome to Momming as a Millennial, the podcast where we dive into the challenges and triumphs of being a millennial mom in today’s dynamic world. Join your host, Christine Giarrizzo, on this candid journey as we navigate the complexities of motherhood, from tackling outdated stereotypes, to embracing our individual parenting styles.

In each episode, we explore the intersection of tradition and modern parenting. We’ll look at unsolicited advice and internet noise, as well as gender roles and expectations handed down by our parents and grandparents, in order to find what resonates with our true, authentic selves.

Tune in for honest conversations, genuine stories, expert insights, and a supportive community that understands the unique circumstance of navigating parenthood as a millennial. Together we’ll rewrite the narrative, challenge societal norms, and celebrate the diverse voices that make up our generation.

Let’s redefine what it means to be a mama in the millennial era.

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