The 1 Thing Therapists Say Harms Eldest Daughters' Happiness The Most

RicardoImagen via Getty Images If you're a firstborn daughter who feels overly responsible for your family, friends, colleagues and more, you likely are robbing yourself of some happiness. “And so because they’ve been parentified and adultified, then they have really high expectations.” Vera Livchak via Getty Images Eldest daughters are often made to feel like they're responsible for the people in their family of origin. “And if we feel like we’re failing as kids, we’re going to keep trying harder and harder and harder.” And these tough feelings don’t just stop once an eldest daughter reaches adulthood. “It’s something that eldest daughters just do without thinking.” Many eldest daughters have a natural impulse to check in on people and make sure everyone is doing what they should, Moore added. What’s more, eldest daughters often become the leader of a friend group, or the friend who everyone can count on — “but no one’s there for you,” Harris said.