While doing homework one day, my mother surprised me with a stuffed bunny stuffed animal and a small note revealing that a new member was joining our family. I was ecstatic, having dreamt of having a younger sister for years. I did not anticipate how this new addition would bring challenges that would reshape my daily life as a fourteen year old.

As the youngest in my family, I knew things would change, but I never expected such a sudden shift. My mother’s pregnancy complications meant she could not manage all the tasks she had before. I quickly took on many more responsibilities, including waking up at 4 a.m. to prepare lunch for my father before he left for work. Once my sister was born, I became her primary caregiver. After school, I would rush home to look after her while my mother worked, having to wait to be relieved hours later when my father came home.

This new role as a caregiver left me with little time to focus on my schoolwork. I kept my struggles hidden, not wanting my parents to see how their expectations of me—based on my history of straight A’s—were now at odds with my responsibilities at home. I pushed myself to the limit, staying up late to finish assignments, and often sacrificing sleep and mental well-being to meet family and academic expectations.

At first, it was overwhelming to balance everything. The weight of caregiving combined with schoolwork took a toll on my mental health, and I found myself losing motivation. I felt like the extra effort I put into assignments didn’t make a difference in my grades. Eventually, I reached a breaking point, almost falling behind in school. I then remembered the sacrifices my parents made when they moved to this country for a better life, and I pushed through. I eventually realized that asking for help was not a weakness. For a long time, I feared burdening my parents, who were already working hard to provide for us. Reaching out and seeking support helped me find better ways to manage my responsibilities and prioritize my mental health.

These experiences have shaped who I am today. It is one that Americans experience. This taught me the importance of empathy, recognizing that everyone faces their often unseen challenges. I now understand that it is okay to seek help when needed, and that support can make a profound difference. I represent the Mexican American life experience, the struggle of carrying on a parental figure in my life and managing my studies. By learning to manage my time, set realistic expectations, and reach out for support, I have grown stronger, more resilient, and more aware of the diverse struggles others may be facing.

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