The Strong One: Unpacking Eldest Daughter Syndrome

Hey eldest sisters! This week, this one is for you. This week’s episode is a love song to the eldest daughters and granddaughters, the backbone of society, whose stories are often overlooked and ignored because their silent labor is the underpinning that keeps modern family life moving forward and families together. Dr. Dom and Terri share their experiences of being the eldest daughter and oldest sister in their immediate family and how it has shaped their worldviews and ways of being – for better or for worse.   While these experiences are not a monolith, there is enough evidence that this is a growing segment of the population that are expected to care for everyone around them at the expense of their own career growth and health. So what can you do if you find yourself in a position where there is an implicit expectation that you will be the strong one? Tune in if you are fed up with that role so that you can build a solid toolkit to shift yourself back into the driver’s seat of your life. Lady, this particular journey takes time so pack your patience and carve out intentional time so you can make a realistic plan that works for you. Head over to the Cultivating H.E.R. Space shop to pick up a journal as your companion to unpack this deep work you’re doing and while you’re at it grab a latte mug to sip on something that will calm your nervous system (you’ll find out why this is important in the episode). Wishing you lots of a love and lighter load on your plate, lady!   Quote of the Day: "The eldest daughter is the prototypical parentified child. Who’s tucking her in? Who’s feeding her? Who’s nurturing her? Who’s taking care of her?” – Dr. Mariel Buqué   This episode is brought to you by VB Health, supplements that work and Feeld, a dating app for the curious. Check out Drive Boost for libido support. With daily use, many people report improvements within 1–2 weeks. Visit this link and use code HerSpace at checkout for 10% off: https://bit.ly/VBhealthherspace Know what you’re looking for? Feeld has rolled out its “shared desires” feature, which immediately shows you what you have in common with someone else. Download Feeld on the App Store or Google Play. Goal Mapping Starter Guide Cultivating H.E.R. Space Sanctuary   Resources: Dr. Dom’s Therapy Practice Get That Pitch Workshop: Turn your story and expertise into speaking gigs, media features, and collaborations, without a publicist. Visit GetThatPitch.com and Use code HERSPACE for a special listener discount. Branding with Terri Melanin and Mental Health Therapy for Black Girls  Psychology Today Therapy for QPOC Therapy Fund Foundation   Where to find us: Twitter: @HERspacepodcast Instagram: @herspacepodcast Facebook: @herspacepodcast Website: cultivatingherspace.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.