When One Grown Child Struggles, Their Siblings Often Suffer Too
Briefly

The article discusses how a family's attempts to support one struggling adult child can inadvertently harm the other children. It emphasizes that while parents aim to assist, they may overlook the needs of the other siblings, leading to feelings of neglect and resentment. The siblings often find themselves bearing emotional burdens, feeling invisible or over-responsible for their own successes while their struggling sibling receives disproportionate attention. This dynamic can fracture family relationships and diminish sibling bonds, ultimately causing lasting damage.
When one adult child struggles, it doesn't just affect them-it ripples through the entire family. Siblings often bear the weight of their struggling sibling’s issues.
The persistence of parental attention on one child can lead to neglect or burdens on others, precipitating long-term resentment and strained sibling relationships.
Siblings experiencing burnout from caretaker roles often feel overlooked or punished for their own achievements, while their struggling sibling receives maximal support and understanding.
Parents, while wanting to help, often fail to recognize the harm their focus creates, leading to imbalances that can damage sibling bonds for life.
Read at Psychology Today
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