Nigerians love a carer: the mother who never takes a break. The older sister who funds her siblings’ needs. The doctor, the father, or the godparent who handles every problem before it becomes a crisis.

We love these people. We celebrate these people. But does saying we appreciate them show how far our care extends? When all is said and done, who cares for the carer?

Here are three important archetypes of Nigerian carers, and what people need to do for you if you find yourself in one of these categories. 

Plus, if you’re looking to care for your carer, here’s why AXA Mansard insurance is the best way to show that love as wholly as possible.

 1. The Breadwinner

It’s no exaggeration to say that we owe a lot to the breadwinner. 

Every paid bill, every meal eaten, every shirt on our backs is thanks to, or was once thanks to, the person willing to set aside money for us.

There is no forward momentum in a Nigerian home without the breadwinner leading the charge. And with the state of the Nigerian economy, they sacrifice far more than many may realise.

If you’re the type who sets aside money for others before thinking about yourself, if you’re called the second something needs to be fixed. If you budget your salary for your family before your fulfilment, then this archetype is yours. There is literally no Nigeria without you.

However, the breadwinner needs a little more than thank-yous and praise to keep going. Being told you’re the best can only go so far. This week, the breadwinner should take the time to ask for help with their own needs. It doesn’t need to be something big, maybe calling someone they love to help chip in for something they want (and they must absolutely not feel guilty for it)

2. The Firstborn

Parents are fantastic, but a lot of us only turned out half as well as we did because we had an older sibling in our lives.

Who was our first best friend and defender? Who asked for things on our behalf? In some cases, who cleaned and cooked for us while we were free to be children? 

Before they were adults, many firstborns were the third parents, shouldering struggles so their siblings didn’t have to.

If you would sacrifice anything for your siblings, if you feel mature for your age, if you tackle your brother’s problems like they’re your own, or learn the hard way so your sister doesn’t have to, then you’re the firstborn, and possibly the most vital member of your family. 

But being the responsible one is tiring, and hearing  “you’re so mature” or being blamed for mistakes your younger ones made is exhausting.

 This week, the firstborn should let their younger siblings take their job. Let them solve family drama or carry the stress of sorting out their future on their own head. You deserve, for once, to be the one lying back and not worrying about what comes next.

3. The Medical Professional

It takes a lot to become a doctor: many years of school, several difficult exams, sleepless nights, and busy weekends. Not to mention actually dealing with stressed patients without letting your own stress show.

And for Nigeria’s medical professionals? It’s even more difficult: showing up with limited equipment and an even more limited salary, doing overnight shifts, and dealing with the stress of a Nigerian hospital. 

If your job is to take care of other people on their worst days, if you’ve been asked for medical advice even outside your job, if everyone talks to you like you can magically cure all their physical problems, then this archetype is yours. We trust you with our lives, and we’re grateful that you handle them perfectly.

But gratitude from the people you treat doesn’t replace self-care. Being the calm one isn’t the same as being well. This week, the medical professional should take a turn as the patient and make sure they get themselves checked or babied. They deserve it for all the millions they’ve saved.

So, how do we care for the carers?

The Nigerian instinct to look after each other is probably one of the best traits we have as a people. But in receiving care, we have to make sure we give it as well.

Buy someone who you owe your life to food they like, a gift they’ve been hinting at, or, if you want something long-lasting and practical, you can opt for AXA Mansard insurance.

Nothing screams care like insurance that covers every aspect of your life. You want to make someone’s day brighter? Soften the blow of life’s issues before they even happen.

AXA cuts across life, non-life, health and asset management, so it makes sure that your carer can move through life confident you’ve got their back from every angle possible. It is the best way to make someone feel loved.

If you’re interested in giving someone who loves you all that love back, or if you want to protect yourself so they can worry a little less about you, then get started with AXA Mansard today.