The Problems Of Being The Oldest Child
1. First, it starts when they enter the world. Younger siblings are like new toys and you’re old news.2. Your parents placed RIDICULOUSLY high expectations on you because you’re the test child.
3. They’re also just WAY more strict. Like, you definitely didn’t get to see PG-13 movies until you were actually 13.
4. And they get to stay up wayyyy later and watch more TV than when you were their age.
5. But for your younger siblings, your parents will give less hands on. The youngest can basically get away with murder.
6. You were expected to pass down your wisdom to your siblings on everything from the SATs to college applications.
7. You were expected to be “the responsible one” as if the fact your mom’s giving birth to you first made you a better person. OK, it did, but still.
8. But when you did act “in charge,” you were called “bossy” or worse.
9. And there is a very, very good chance you have a type-A personality. DEAL WITH IT.
10. This meant you were always supposed to “set a good example” for your younger siblings. So every time you got into trouble, it was magnified by like, tenfold.
11. But when your younger siblings tried to get away with anything, your parents would explain it away like, “They’re younger, they don’t know any better.” MOM, HE’S 14 NOW, HE DOES KNOW BETTER.
12. And when YOU got into trouble because you are older and are “supposed to know better.”
13. Then, there were those times your siblings tried to copy your style and it drove you INSANE.
14. And if they weren’t trying to be as ~trendy~ as you, they were wearing your hand-me-downs. But they definitely didn’t look as good in them as you did.
15. And it wasn’t just clothes. They wanted to play the same sports as you, or the same instrument, or just try to make your “thing” their “thing.”
16. Your siblings also got stuff WAY earlier than you did. Like, while you got your cell phone in high school, your youngest sibling got it when they were like 12.
17. Your parents also treated you like a private tutor for your siblings, as if you didn’t have enough on your plate already.
18. And you had to “watch” your siblings, aka babysit them, because Mom didn’t want to pay for a babysitter.
19. Your younger siblings will ALWAYS want to hang out with your friends, because it makes them feel older and cooler.
20. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work both ways, because you would never be caught dead hanging with your sibling’s friends.
21. You are always SHOCKED when your younger siblings hit a new benchmark in their lives, like high school or college and you realize they are not so little anymore!
