16-year-old quits job to stop paying for 10, 8, 7, and 5-year-old siblings: ‘[My parents] told me I should understand life isn’t always equal’ – FAIL Blog

Do you remember what you did with your first paycheck? It probably wasn’t much money — but it would be enough to buy some new clothes or treat your friends to a meal. After a childhood spent asking your parents to buy you treats, waiting for birthdays and holidays, or saving up your allowance, you feel like the king of the world when you get that first paycheck all to yourself. 

Well, for most kids, that first paycheck is all theirs. Other kids have a lot of weight on their shoulders, and they couldn’t possibly spend that money without feeling guilty about it. They might be supporting their family members and helping to put food on the table to feed their siblings. This 16-year-old knows all about that: he’s been “babysitting, mowing lawns, [and] running errands for neighbors,” for 3 years already! But he doesn’t have a lot to show for it, because his parents keep spending his money on his 2 brothers and 2 sisters. 

Eldest siblings often get saddled with responsibilities beyond their years. Chances are, if you’re the oldest sibling, you’ve had to babysit your brothers and sisters, cook them dinner or prep their after-school snacks, and drive them to basketball practice or dance recitals. It can be a huge burden for a teen to shoulder, and not all of them are brave enough to push back on Mom and Dad’s demands. 

Up next, have a laugh at the retail workers who shared what their strangest customers did: “He released a box of spiders into the store… He’s not allowed in any Starbucks in this town anymore.”