Homer L. Hartage

Every day, countless children step into roles meant for adults—managing households, caring for siblings, or supporting a struggling parent. They appear strong, capable, even “wise beyond their years.” But behind that strength lies a hidden cost: the loss of childhood, unspoken stress, and emotional wounds that can last a lifetime.

Parentification: Caregivers In Crisis exposes this overlooked reality and gives voice to the young caregivers society seldom sees. Through powerful stories and clear insight, Homer Hartage reveals how family systems collapse, why children step in, and what happens when their needs go unnoticed.

This is more than a book—it’s a wake-up call. A reminder that no child should carry adult burdens alone. And a powerful invitation to protect the next generation before the cycle continues.

When Children Carry Adult Responsibilities
Parentification: Caregivers In Crisis shines an unflinching light on the emotional and psychological weight carried by children who are forced to grow up too soon. These young caregivers often move silently through life—cooking meals, managing medications, stabilizing chaotic households, or providing emotional support to parents who are overwhelmed, ill, or unable to cope. While the world may see them as “mature for their age,” few recognize the hidden cost: the loss of childhood, chronic anxiety, fractured identity, and long-term emotional scars that can stretch far into adulthood.

Coming Fall 2026 — A must-read for parents, educators, professionals, social workers and anyone committed to safeguarding children.