Parentified Children Become Adults Who Can’t Stop People Pleasing | Therapist, Aliza Shapiro

Most people think enmeshment is love. They think it’s loyalty/ being a close family or maybe it’s just caring deeply about the people around them, but what if the reason you struggle to make decisions, set boundaries, trust yourself, or put your partner first has nothing to do with love and everything to do with enmeshment? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with therapist Aliza Shapiro to unpack one of the most misunderstood relationship dynamics: enmeshment. We explore how family loyalty can sometimes become control, why so many eldest children become parentified, how cultural expectations shape our identities, and what it takes to build healthy relationships without losing the people we love. Whether you’re constantly seeking your parents’ approval, feel responsible for everyone else’s emotions, or struggle to put your own needs first, this episode will help you understand where those patterns come from and how to begin changing them. If you’ve ever felt guilty for choosing yourself, this conversation is for you. 🎙 What we cover: ・What enmeshment actually is ・Signs you’re too emotionally responsible for others ・The difference between love and control ・Why parentified children often become people pleasers ・How family dynamics affect romantic relationships ・Why your spouse should come before your parents ・How to have difficult conversations without destroying relationships ・The healthiest way to set boundaries ・How to rediscover your identity after years of living for others 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠 Enmeshment, Family Dynamics, Parentification, Relationships, Psychology, boundaries, Mental Health, Self Development, Therapy, AMillennialMind Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices