An ongoing experience

My mother became a stay-at-home-mom when my baby sister started school, six years ago.  She had always worked to help my father provide for us five children, but when the baby became old enough for school my mother decided she wanted to be there for her because she wasn’t able to be there for the rest of us. Well, everyone loved mom not working. Dinner was always cooked. We were able to participate in extracurricular activities because now we had a ride. Our childhood became better. My mother didn’t stay a stay-at-home-mom, a couple of years later my parents began living a tight budget. My mom decided to go back to work even though my dad told her he would work extra jobs that she doesn’t need to go back to work. At this point all of my other siblings have moved out and my baby sister and I are the only children left in the house. When my mother began her new job almost all of the responsibilities that my mom took care of was pushed into my hands. Every day, still to this day, I find a way to get my sister to school and make it to school for myself on time. After school I either go grocery shopping or I go home. Once I am home I make sure the house is clean “spot-less”. Before I could drive I would make sure to get my sister off the bus, now that I drive I pick her up after school. I cook dinner while I help her with her homework, clean the kitchen, then get her ready for bed. By this time my mom comes home, loves on her, then go separate ways to go to bed.  I stay up to do my homework and study.

At first I was very frustrated and upset that my parents dumped their child on me, leaving me to raise her as if she was my own. I became mad and upset that I was unable to do things I wanted. I had no social life. Anywhere I go my sister comes with me because she is too young to be left alone.  Once I graduated high school I came to a realization that even though I am raising my sister, I don’t mind. My sister and I have a relationship like no other sibling. When she tells me about her day at school, the words that she says puts a smile on my face because I know that I taught her to speak in an appropriate uplifting manner. My sister has brought great joy in my life and I do not think that we would have the opportunity to be so close if my mom was to not gone back to work. Taking care of the house and grocery shopping has been a plus because when I do go out on my own I will be prepared. I may be raising a ten year old child at the age of 19 but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I see so much of myself in her and she has learned many skills that will make her successful in life through me. We have been positive influences on each other’s lives and always will be. I look forward to helping her every day and when she is at a friend’s house I count down the minutes until she returns.