Melissa is little more than a big sister: she has been busy for a long time with her brothers, four and six years younger. A mother's role before the hour, born of the professional impediments of her own parents, which has several times upset. But today, at 27 years and with a maturity more pronounced than the people of her age, she feels "happy" to have lived this experience, told Friday at the microphone Europe 1 Olivier Delacroix.
"I was very happy to have little brothers, my parents had their own kitchen shop and they worked a lot, with customer appointments that could be held late in the day. hour drive home In the early teens, I started to take care of them to taste it, homework, eat, clean the house ... I managed everything at home.
"You're not mom!"
At first, it was not obvious but afterwards, I took my role to heart and I was proud. I thought it was nice and normal to take care of my little brothers. For them it was complicated because I was not their mother. I was 'only' the sister. They often told me 'you're not mom!' They were too young to understand that I was there to help them. At the age I had, I did not understand that they did not obey me.
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I did not really have time for me, going to see friends was very rare. My grandmother was very present because she lived in front of us. When it was wrong, I called her to come and handle the situation with my brothers. On the other hand, we never really talked about it with my parents but I think it was normal for them to see me take care of my brothers. They had to say to themselves: 'If she does not complain, it's okay.' The day I left, I had a big tear, the feeling of abandoning the youngest, to leave him alone.
"I was immediately very mature and very responsible in life"
I was immediately very mature and very responsible in life. I had values that were not my age. I am a little strict. I have this higher maturity than other people my age, and everything comes from the fact that I grew up too fast taking care of my brothers. Since I did not go out, I could not create a circle of important friends. I was more at home with adult things. I was always rejected because I told them I did not understand why they were drinking and going clubbing. Today, I have two very good friends, and that's it.
There was a time when I wanted to my parents, but after that, I was happy in my role because I loved my brothers. Being the eldest of siblings, I would not say it's a chance, because I wish I had someone above me to help me. We have no shoulders on who to cry when things are not right. We have an important role, but we do not have a protective person.
Today, I do not want it at all to my parents because I am autonomous and mature. I am happy. Since I have already lived the role of a mother, I think I could handle situations, how to do with my child. I will be less stressed the day I become a mother. "
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Maryne, 27, police officer harassed and sexually assaulted: "Today is survival"
Loïc, 39, has been a victim of identity theft for 17 years: "It destroys a life"