Being the oldest of eight siblings is not easy, especially when we don’t have much. I can still remember waking up early, even before the sun came out, to make sure my younger sisters were awake and ready for school. I had to go from room to room, gently shaking them awake, helping them put on their uniforms, and reminding them to eat something, even if breakfast was just a small piece of bread with coffee. Sometimes, the youngest would cry because she didn’t want to wake up, while the others would fight over who gets to use the comb first. While other kids my age were still sleeping or playing, I was already running around the house making sure everyone was okay and also to make sure that the house was cleaned. The house was always loud my sisters laughing, shouting, or crying and I had to be the one to calm them down even though I want to play with them, because I prioritize my study first and I don't want to disappoint my parents. Even though I was small and tired, I felt like I had to carry the weight of the family on my shoulders, because without me no one will help my mother to care for my sisters and to do the chores even though I'm just 14 years old I already wash clothes from my parents also from my sisters.
One of the hardest parts of being the oldest is being blamed for everything. If my sisters fought over a toy, spilled water, or forgot to finish something, I was the first to get scolded. I remember one afternoon when my youngest sister accidentally spilled a glass of water on the floor while reaching for her snack. I warned My sisters to be careful because I'm the one who will blame if they do a mistakes inside the house. My parents immediately looked at me, assuming I didn’t watch them properly. I tried to explain that it wasn’t my fault, but they didn’t listen. i stayed calm while my mothers already angry to me. There were also times when the laundry wasn’t done or the kitchen was messy after everyone had breakfast it didn’t matter that I had helped clean the night before, I was still blamed. Sometimes I felt frustrated and sad, but I knew I couldn’t show it. I had to fix what I could and move on. Slowly, I learned to handle being blamed even when I didn’t do anything wrong.
Being the oldest also comes with a lot of pressure. My parents expect me to be perfect, to set a good example for my younger sisters to behave well, get good grades, and never make mistakes. But how could I be perfect when I was still learning? I still make mistakes, I still get tired, and sometimes I just want to play like other kids. I remember one evening after a long day, I was helping my sisters with their homework while also cooking dinner. The youngest spilled her water on the table, another sister forgot to do her project, and two of them were fighting over a chair. I had to stop, calm everyone down, clean the mess, and continue cooking. By the time dinner was ready, my arms ached, my back hurt, and I was exhausted. I just wanted to sit and rest, but there was always something else to do.
Even though it’s hard, my sisters are also my inspiration. Seeing them grow, laugh, and try their best makes me want to work even harder. I want to study and finish school so that one day, they won’t have to struggle like we do now. I want them to have a better life, to have opportunities that we never had. I remember a night when I was already tired from cooking, cleaning, and helping everyone with homework. The youngest hugged me and said, “Ate, thank you.” My heart felt full, and all the tiredness went away for a moment. Even when life is unfair, when I’m blamed for things I didn’t do, or when I feel like I can’t be perfect, I keep going because of them.
Now that I am in Grade 12, about to graduate, I look back and see how much my sisters have grown. From babies and toddlers who cried for everything, they are now going to school on their own, learning, laughing, and helping each other. Seeing them grow gives me a sense of pride I can’t describe. All the sacrifices, the exhaustion, and the pressure I felt as the oldest were worth it. I realize that being the eldest taught me lessons that no school could—patience, responsibility, love, and resilience. I may have been small and overwhelmed back then, but now I see the results of all that hard work: eight little girls growing into strong, independent, and happy young girls. That makes me feel proud, grateful, and ready to face my own future.
The Hardest Job at a Young Age
Being the oldest of eight siblings is not easy, especially when we don’t have much. I can still remember waking up early, even before the sun came out, to make sure my younger sisters were awake and ready for school. I had to go from room to room, gently shaking them awake, helping them put on their uniforms, and reminding them to eat something, even if breakfast was just a small piece of bread. Sometimes, the youngest would cry because she didn’t want to wake up, while the others would fight over who gets to use the comb first. While other kids my age were still sleeping or playing, I was already running around the house making sure everyone was okay. The house was always loud my sisters laughing, shouting, or crying and I had to be the one to calm them down. Even though I was small and tired, I felt like I had to carry the weight of the family on my shoulders.
One of the hardest parts of being the oldest is being blamed for everything. If my sisters fought over a toy, spilled water, or forgot to finish something, I was the first to get scolded. I remember one afternoon when my youngest sister accidentally spilled a glass of water on the floor while reaching for her snack. My parents immediately looked at me, assuming I didn’t watch them properly. I tried to explain that it wasn’t my fault, but they didn’t listen. There were also times when the laundry wasn’t done or the kitchen was messy after everyone had breakfast it didn’t matter that I had helped clean the night before, I was still blamed. Sometimes I felt frustrated and sad, but I knew I couldn’t show it. I had to fix what I could and move on. Slowly, I learned to handle being blamed even when I didn’t do anything wrong.
Being the oldest also comes with a lot of pressure. My parents expect me to be perfect, to set a good example for my younger sisters to behave well, get good grades, and never make mistakes. But how could I be perfect when I was still learning? I still make mistakes, I still get tired, and sometimes I just want to play like other kids. I remember one evening after a long day, I was helping my sisters with their homework while also cooking dinner. The youngest spilled her water on the table, another sister forgot to do her project, and two of them were fighting over a chair. I had to stop, calm everyone down, clean the mess, and continue cooking. By the time dinner was ready, my arms ached, my back hurt, and I was exhausted. I just wanted to sit and rest, but there was always something else to do.
Even though it’s hard, my sisters are also my inspiration. Seeing them grow, laugh, and try their best makes me want to work even harder. I want to study and finish school so that one day, they won’t have to struggle like we do now. I want them to have a better life, to have opportunities that we never had. I remember a night when I was already tired from cooking, cleaning, and helping everyone with homework. The youngest hugged me and said, “Ate, thank you.” My heart felt full, and all the tiredness went away for a moment. Even when life is unfair, when I’m blamed for things I didn’t do, or when I feel like I can’t be perfect, I keep going because of them.
Now that I am in Grade 12, about to graduate, I look back and see how much my sisters have grown. From babies and toddlers who cried for everything, they are now going to school on their own, learning, laughing, and helping each other. Seeing them grow gives me a sense of pride I can’t describe. All the sacrifices, the exhaustion, and the pressure I felt as the oldest were worth it. I realize that being the eldest taught me lessons that no school could—patience, responsibility, love, and resilience. I may have been small and overwhelmed back then, but now I see the results of all that hard work: eight little girls growing into strong, independent, and happy young girls. That makes me feel proud, grateful, and ready to face my own future.
Sent
Write to Faidah Tanog
The Hardest Job at a Young Age
Being the oldest of eight siblings is not easy, especially when we don’t have much. I can still remember waking up early, even before the sun came out, to make sure my younger sisters were awake and ready for school. I had to go from room to room, gently shaking them awake, helping them put on their uniforms, and reminding them to eat something, even if breakfast was just a small piece of bread. Sometimes, the youngest would cry because she didn’t want to wake up, while the others would fight over who gets to use the comb first. While other kids my age were still sleeping or playing, I was already running around the house making sure everyone was okay. The house was always loud my sisters laughing, shouting, or crying and I had to be the one to calm them down. Even though I was small and tired, I felt like I had to carry the weight of the family on my shoulders.
One of the hardest parts of being the oldest is being blamed for everything. If my sisters fought over a toy, spilled water, or forgot to finish something, I was the first to get scolded. I remember one afternoon when my youngest sister accidentally spilled a glass of water on the floor while reaching for her snack. My parents immediately looked at me, assuming I didn’t watch them properly. I tried to explain that it wasn’t my fault, but they didn’t listen. There were also times when the laundry wasn’t done or the kitchen was messy after everyone had breakfast it didn’t matter that I had helped clean the night before, I was still blamed. Sometimes I felt frustrated and sad, but I knew I couldn’t show it. I had to fix what I could and move on. Slowly, I learned to handle being blamed even when I didn’t do anything wrong.
Being the oldest also comes with a lot of pressure. My parents expect me to be perfect, to set a good example for my younger sisters to behave well, get good grades, and never make mistakes. But how could I be perfect when I was still learning? I still make mistakes, I still get tired, and sometimes I just want to play like other kids. I remember one evening after a long day, I was helping my sisters with their homework while also cooking dinner. The youngest spilled her water on the table, another sister forgot to do her project, and two of them were fighting over a chair. I had to stop, calm everyone down, clean the mess, and continue cooking. By the time dinner was ready, my arms ached, my back hurt, and I was exhausted. I just wanted to sit and rest, but there was always something else to do.
Even though it’s hard, my sisters are also my inspiration. Seeing them grow, laugh, and try their best makes me want to work even harder. I want to study and finish school so that one day, they won’t have to struggle like we do now. I want them to have a better life, to have opportunities that we never had. I remember a night when I was already tired from cooking, cleaning, and helping everyone with homework. The youngest hugged me and said, “Ate, thank you.” My heart felt full, and all the tiredness went away for a moment. Even when life is unfair, when I’m blamed for things I didn’t do, or when I feel like I can’t be perfect, I keep going because of them.
Now that I am in Grade 12, about to graduate, I look back and see how much my sisters have grown. From babies and toddlers who cried for everything, they are now going to school on their own, learning, laughing, and helping each other. Seeing them grow gives me a sense of pride I can’t describe. All the sacrifices, the exhaustion, and the pressure I felt as the oldest were worth it. I realize that being the eldest taught me lessons that no school could—patience, responsibility, love, and resilience. I may have been small and overwhelmed back then, but now I see the results of all that hard work: eight little girls growing into strong, independent, and happy young girls. That makes me feel proud, grateful, and ready to face my own future.
Sent
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