Not everyone who experiences parentification also experiences negative effects as adults. However, some of the things you may experience are a loss of a sense of playfulness, and a feeling of not having had a fun childhood. There is often a sense of watching other kids who don’t have a care in the world, while you have to support your parents and family. You might have grown up disconnected from a sense of inner joy. Life can seem hard, and there can be a feeling of having to work hard.