Words | Tobi Adebanjo
The Hidden Weight of Being Firstborn
In the Netflix sitcom The Upshaws, Regina and her older sister, Lucretia, offer a familiar portrayal of modern family life. When Regina got pregnant as a teenager, Lucretia stepped in to care for the baby, putting her life on hold so that her sister could continue her education. Although the story was written for television, we know that art mirrors life. In many homes, the eldest sibling is expected to become a helper, fixer, and sometimes a co-parent, long before they’ve even begun to live their own lives.
Two children playing together outdoors happily
Most firstborn children can relate to the feeling of growing up too fast. From the moment a younger sibling enters the picture, you become responsible for another…
