How To Be The Best Firstborn Child
Written by: Justin Akadonye
Sometimes you just feel you carry all the weight on your shoulders. It is as though all the burdens were placed on you. So much responsibilities, so much to do!
Sighs! In Nigeria and most african countries being the first child of one's parents comes with a Herculean task of keeping the family together, afloat, happy and satisfied.
It starts quite early enough in your growing-up years.
I remember how my brother was practically playing dad and baby-sitter when my parents would go out. It then went to getting the best grades so as to be exemplary to your younger siblings.
Then in later years, you are practically the breadwinner in most Nigerian homes, especially where the other kids are not so well-to-do. You're expected to send monthly stipends for aged parents, repair leaking roofs and offset other maintenance costs of your family house.
You are even the benefactor for your siblings fees at school, allowances and other expenses. It even gets worse when they feel it is their right or entitlement to stay with you and enjoy lounging at your place. After all, it is their big brother's house.
For firstborns with deceased parents, you're the one to be called during family meetings, financial contributions and considerations. They never miss a beat to always summon you. Why not? You're the man or woman in charge, as the case may be.
The truth is we cannot play God, or assume roles that may perpetually drown us. After all, there is just one life to live.
You should remember to be selfish sometimes and meet your own needs, because sometimes you just might be existing and not living.
What stops you from getting another degree? What stops you from building your own house.
The siblings will not die, if you learnt how to say no sometimes.
Rightfully so, they are their own persons and will live, even after you develop that high blood pressure and wane away slowly.
Your life is yours, live it! You're just another child among your other siblings.
Sometimes you just feel you carry all the weight on your shoulders. It is as though all the burdens were placed on you. So much responsibilities, so much to do!
Sighs! In Nigeria and most african countries being the first child of one's parents comes with a Herculean task of keeping the family together, afloat, happy and satisfied.
It starts quite early enough in your growing-up years.
I remember how my brother was practically playing dad and baby-sitter when my parents would go out. It then went to getting the best grades so as to be exemplary to your younger siblings.
Then in later years, you are practically the breadwinner in most Nigerian homes, especially where the other kids are not so well-to-do. You're expected to send monthly stipends for aged parents, repair leaking roofs and offset other maintenance costs of your family house.
You are even the benefactor for your siblings fees at school, allowances and other expenses. It even gets worse when they feel it is their right or entitlement to stay with you and enjoy lounging at your place. After all, it is their big brother's house.
For firstborns with deceased parents, you're the one to be called during family meetings, financial contributions and considerations. They never miss a beat to always summon you. Why not? You're the man or woman in charge, as the case may be.
The truth is we cannot play God, or assume roles that may perpetually drown us. After all, there is just one life to live.
You should remember to be selfish sometimes and meet your own needs, because sometimes you just might be existing and not living.
What stops you from getting another degree? What stops you from building your own house.
The siblings will not die, if you learnt how to say no sometimes.
Rightfully so, they are their own persons and will live, even after you develop that high blood pressure and wane away slowly.
Your life is yours, live it! You're just another child among your other siblings.
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