Eldest daughter syndrome

She may not be the eldest child but she is the eldest daughter meaning she'll take on more responsibilities than her siblings and forced to be the family therapist and second mom and if she breaks under the pressure? Good luck

Person#1: hey why were you late?
Eldest daughter: Oh I had to make breakfast for the family, do the laundry make sure mom took her meds make sure dad got to work on time made sure my siblings that had it got to school on time and made sure my brothers got to work on time
Person: sounds like you have eldest daughter syndrome

17👍 1👎

Eldest daughter syndrome

When the eldest daughter in a family with multiple children, presumably with kids younger than her- though not always- is placed into a parental role. Oftentimes, she is treated as a motherly figure from a very young age, while her siblings- if she has an older or twin /brother/, specifically, for example- are not given the same expectations. This can cause significant stress and a feeling of needing to help everyone and/or personal responsibility for any given thing, which can seriously damage the eldest daughter's mental state.

She got a phone when she was 10, but it was so that her brother could call her if he needed something. I keep asking her to hang out, but she's always got chores to do-I don't think her brother does any, though. Serious eldest daughter syndrome, man. Hope she gets some therapy.