12/05/2025
Children are not built to carry adult pain.
They may look strong, they may act mature, they may listen quietly…
but inside, their nervous system is overwhelmed when they are exposed to adult conversations, conflicts, or responsibilities that were never meant for them.
When a child hears:
• “Your dad doesn’t care about us.”
• “Your mom stresses me out.”
• “You’re the only one who understands me.”
• “I can’t believe what they did to me.”
…it doesn’t just hurt them in the moment.
It teaches them to take sides, to worry, to fix, to freeze, to protect a parent instead of just being a child.
Boundaries aren’t walls — they’re love.
Love says, “Your job is to play, explore, grow, and feel safe. My job is to handle the adult things.”
Children feel safest when:
• Parents keep adult problems private
• The home is emotionally predictable
• They are not messengers or mediators
• They are not asked to choose sides
• Their hearts are protected from adult conflict
A child should never become the container for a parent’s hurt.
Protect their innocence.
Protect their nervous system.
Protect their childhood.
Because one day, that child becomes an adult who either feels safe in relationships… or one who is still healing from what they were never meant to hold.
