The priest came to my mum and told her that she was cruel to leave her children by themselves.

I understand why she would say that. The looks that people gave me when my mum was gone said just as much.

Like how can she leave a 17 yr old with her disabled dad to cook, clean, look after children and do shopping?

I have to admit, that during her holiday, some days I thought, hmmm, does my mum even care that a lot of pressure is being put on me? Is it fair on me to have to be a mum for 5 children? To cook and clean and look after my siblings just because I am the oldest?

I do not think it was cruel for my mum to leave us. Yes, a lot of the burden fell on me.

And I do think that it was selfish of her to leave without actually considering how it would effect our education.