A lot of people find being a parent the most exciting thing in life. People make goals early in life as to what they want to be, what they want their kids to be, and what kind of parent they would like to be. It was part of the American Dream. For me, that American Dream turned into a nightmare. I don’t have kids, but I do have a responsibility in the same way that a dad has towards his kids. My dad left us when I was 18. He didn’t say anything. He just woke up one day and gave me the keys to his car and left. He left me with a 14 year old brother, 12 year old (brother/sister), an 8 year old sister and a disabled mom. (The only reason he gave for leaving was that he just wasn’t happy and wanted to start a new life without us. I was now responsible for 3 kids and a disabled adult. It just hit me so suddenly, the way I had to do everything a father has to. I now had to teach, give advice, and discipline my siblings, which was entirely new to me. In short, I had to be a father and fill the hole that my own father left behind.)* I had to change my financial life, my social life, my work life all just so I can keep my family happy. I learned a lot about what sacrifices are. I didn’t look at it as a bad thing, just one more obstacle in life I had to overcome. Today, things are easier. My brothers have grown up, as well as one of my sisters. They are now old enough to help me care for my younger siblings. In the end, my dad is no different than any other person’s dad who teaches his kids life lessons. (Ironically, my dad taught me the most when he was no longer around to teach me anything. But his life lessons were just as valuable as any dad's lessons, and have shaped me into the person i am today.)**

*you don;t mention whether your sibling is a boy or a girl

**I have made significant changes to aid the flow of the piece, but it might affect the subject matter. You should look it over to ensure it remains truthful.