The Eldest Daughter Role: When You're Raised to Be the Caregiver Instead of the Child

Being the eldest daughter often means becoming the caregiver long before you're ready—especially in families marked by trauma or instability. This early role can teach you to suppress your own needs, over-function, and tie your worth to how much you do for others. In adulthood, this can look like burnout, perfectionism, or never feeling like it’s safe to rest—because if you don’t do it, who will?