The Weight of Being the Eldest
Hey guys, today is a beautiful day, and it is my greatest pleasure to share my journey and the lessons I’ve learned as the eldest. To all the eldest siblings out there who are writing their own stories, I know you can relate—and each of you has a unique story to tell. So, let me start mine.
BACKGROUND
Last March 4, my father flew to Davao after being given an opportunity to work there. At the same time, my mother works as a stay-in helper, only coming home from Saturday at 7 PM until Sunday at 7 PM. I was staying in a boarding house then, also hustling a little to support my own needs as a semi-working student. My father asked me to tell my mother to come home, but it wasn’t that simple—she needed a replacement first. As the eldest, I knew what had to be done. So, I made the decision to go back home, let go of my boarding house, and give up my side hustle.
First things first, my responsibility was, of course, to feed my three siblings—and that included cooking. This was the same pan I used back in my boarding house, along with my butane stove, which made it easier for me to prepare meals. Now, I use it here at home. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner—all prepared using this one simple pan.
After cooking, I prepare their lunch boxes while they get themselves ready for school. It’s a bit of an advantage for me because I only have classes two days a week, which gives me free days to focus on the other tasks that need to be done here at home.
And phew, they’re finally off to school. At last, a moment of peace—I can work now without any pressure, haha. They just have to walk to get to school, which can be a bit exhausting, but on the bright side, it’s good for their health.
Lastly, now that everything has settled, I can move on to another task—finishing the remaining laundry. It can be quite tiring and sometimes causes back pain with so many clothes to wash, but I’m still grateful for the good weather. With everything drying properly, I can finally fold them later and put them back in their proper places.
Being the eldest isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. The chores, the sacrifices, and the long days teach patience, love, and responsibility. In the end, taking care of my siblings has shown me that family is the greatest reward of all.
