Being a first born is not just a position in the family — it’s a calling. It’s both a privilege and a responsibility, and if you’ve lived it, you know it’s not a small thing.

You were the one your parents were most excited about. The first to hold their hand on peculiar outings, the first pictures, the first experiment in discipline, the one who taught them how to be parents. But very quickly, that privilege came with weight.

As the years went on, you became the one carrying siblings on your back when mum went to the market. You were the one changing diapers, feeding a crying baby, dropping siblings off at school, or cooking when there was no one else. When holidays ended, it was you walking them to class while others still enjoyed their morning sleep. Your food fed the family, your hands cleaned the mess, and your steps became the path they all followed.

This is the story of being a first born. And here are 5 truths that define it.

1. You Were the Training Ground

Every parent practices on the first child. They test their discipline, their patience, their methods — and you become the experiment.

Those peculiar outings with mum and dad? That was their excitement. You were their joy and their learning process. But at the same time, you also became the early helper. When mum left for the salon, the hospital, or the market, big sis was left to handle the crying baby all day. If you were big brother, you were already dropping siblings to school while still a teenager yourself.

What others see as burden was actually training. That constant responsibility turned you into someone dependable. You learned nurturing, leadership, and sacrifice before you were even old enough to fully understand it.

2. The Weight Built Your Endurance

Being a first born means being the one who carries weight no one else sees. When the house ran out of food, it was your plate that got smaller. When someone needed school fees, you gave up your own outings so they could go.

Even today, when siblings want iPhones, they look at you. When parents need quick money, it’s your phone that rings. You became the financial parent before you even finished building yourself.

It’s not that they don’t love you — they just forget. They forget the blood you spilled for them but never forget to stretch out their hands again. But here’s the truth: every sacrifice you made gave you endurance that no one can take from you.

3. Last Borns Get Spoiled — You Get Shaped

It’s no secret. The last borns get the easy ride. They see you carry most of the weight, so they enjoy a softer life. Sometimes it looks unfair — but in reality, it’s shaping you.

While they’re spoiled, you’re learning work ethic. While they escape chores, you’re mastering sacrifice. While they get away with easy excuses, you’re building a backbone.

It might feel like you’re carrying all the responsibility, but one day you’ll realize it gave you an advantage they’ll never have.

4. Growth Requires Boundaries

Here’s where many firstborns get stuck: you can’t grow if all you do is carry.

You delay your dreams to fund theirs. You pause your hustle to fix their chaos. You spend years being dependable, only to realize you’ve been stuck in the same place.

At some point, being a first born means learning wisdom. Saying “not today” doesn’t make you selfish — it makes you strategic. Because when you build yourself, you can lift better, not just heavier.

5. Being First Born Is a Privilege — Don’t Lose Yourself

Yes, it’s pressure. Yes, it’s sacrifice. But it’s also a privilege. You’re the one everyone looks up to. The one siblings respect even when they act spoiled. The one parents quietly admire even when they don’t say it.

But never forget this: you’re more than the helper. You deserve joy. You deserve rest. You deserve to build your own empire while still being the backbone.

Because the real power of being a first born is not just carrying your family. It’s building yourself into someone who can lead them further than anyone dreamed