I'm the only one of my siblings who had a relationship with our father, so I was his caretaker. I don't regret it.

Courtesy Lynnette Lyons

As the oldest of three kids and the only girl, I grew up feeling like I had to take care of everyone. I relished being the oldest as a child, but as I matured, the responsibility increased, and I never learned to say no. This classic case of 'eldest daughter syndrome' led to me becoming the father's sole caregiver of my father, who dealt with alcoholism, and the only person in my family to continue a relationship with him long-term.