I dislike it when people say that. A lot of the therapists/staff at the hospital program I'm at (I go daily like school) say this to me a lot when I talk of the responsibilities I have. I'll explain to them that I don't feel like I do enough at home to be considered a major role in my brother's or Dad's life. They act like putting my brother on the bus and making sure he gets to school is the most a teenager can do for their parents. I would understand if I did the laundry, the dishes, made dinner and cleaned the house, but I don't. I just make his lunch and put him on the bus. If he misses it we take the city buses instead. Sure he's special needs and it can be difficult and frustrating.. but it's just not that big of a deal. But they keep reminding me "That's a lot to do for someone your age". I don't think so at all. It's one job..

One therapist told me that I am a child, I shouldn't worry about my Dad because those are not appropriate worries for someone my age and that I should accept my mother back into my life because she's my mom, I'm her daughter, and have no right to protect myself from her as I'm only 15 (she didn't say that but she seemed to imply it). Child's Services told me at 15 I have every right to say yes or no to visiting or talking to my mother, but EVERYONE else is saying I'm much too young to make such a decision..

I know this is not quite what you were talking about here, but I just wanted to add in my experiences. I'm always too young for everything.. it's frustrating.