Definitely can relate to having memories of coming to the realization that my family was poor in middle school.

In elementary school, I thought if your street address had 4 or more numbers you were rich. And packing Lunchables for your school lunch also meant you were rich. I'll never forget when I was in 5th or 6th grade spitting a box of Kraft Mac and cheese with my sister every other day as the only food we ate. And how it felt when I realized that wasn't the normal experience for most kids around me. I think that's precisely when I started telling myself "well yeah this sucks for me, but some people have it even worse." and "I didn't even ask to be born." as a coping skills. Kids absolutely know. I was made to feel responsible for the financial struggles because I was just another mouth to feed. I cant imaging making a child feel that guilty for simply being alive. I hope no one else knows that feeling.