One of my other main characters, the other main interest, is some what like Fiona.
Jay is responsible for raising his younger siblings because their parents cant, or just chooses not to I guess. He has full custody of all the kids, twins both sixteen and a seven years old, so how do tell the readers this without shoving it down their throats in a obvious way.
Totally frustrated lol
Don't give them the same problems as the Gallaghers do. Make them their own characters; give them their own traumas, or maybe not even that. They can be happy, but would prefer actually having parents in their lives. You're a writer, you'll find them a story!
Jay is the older sibling and has to take care of his younger siblings.
Jeremiah would be Carl not school smart but he's smart in real world issues and music.
Fiona would be Debbie she knows how her parents are but still loves them and wants to believe her parents have changed and ready to be a family once they've cleaned up.
Bailey would be liam she knows who her parents are but she sees Jays as more of her parent but also knows he's her brother.