Letter
26/08/2024
My experience…
Being the eldest daughter in a Nigerian household, I had to step up on different occasions. I would say it consistently began at 12 following my parents’ divorce. Thankfully mine didn’t involve chores e.g. cooking etc but I had to do school runs and at times would intervene during parental conflicts which involved me defending my mum from my dad.
As I got older, this included disciplining my younger sister at times when I felt my mum’s wasn’t adequate enough.
My advice to you…
In the aspects you can control, try to be as childlike as you can as you’re a child for 18 years then after that it’s the real real adulting.
By then you’ll be tired as you’ve been doing this for a long time. If it’s affecting your emotional wellbeing and/or mental health, seek professional help, preferably a black woman who may relate with you.