I caught my eleven year old stealing money from my purse and when I asked why he said he wanted to help pay the bills because he hears me crying at night.
More people experience this than they realize.
Children absorb their parents' stress and attempt to shoulder burdens far beyond their developmental capacity, reversing the protective dynamic.
“Where Are You with Single parenting — the full experience?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.