Struggles of Being the Firstborn
Hey, guinea pig sibling. Yes, you. As the oldest kid in your family, you're probably familiar with the role you played growing up. You were the role model. You were always at fault. You were also the only babysitter your parents ever deemed right for the job. In other words, you were given big responsibilities. And unless you grew up the eldest, you probably wouldn't understand this list. Here are 20 things only older siblings will understand.
1. You Can Fight Your Younger Siblings—But No One Else Can
Sure, you and your younger siblings rarely saw eye to eye on things, especially when you were all younger, but no matter how much you tease or fight them, that's something only you get to do. The second a school bully name-calls your younger siblings or pushes them around, you're there to stand up for them.
2. You'll Never Be the Favorite
You've made peace with the realization that you'll probably never be the favorite. Your parents have been way too obsessed with your younger siblings from the moment they were born, and now you're just That Kid They Had First.
3. You're Expected to Be the Role Model
You were the designated role model for your younger siblings. Instead of the teacher position being assigned to your parents, they would look to you to explain concepts and show everyone else how things are done, even if you were learning something for the first time, too.
4. You Were the Guinea Pig
Yup—as That Kid Your Parents Had First, you were the guinea pig. Your parents either took great care of you or you had a rather odd childhood. You were probably subject to all sorts of new and weird parenting techniques, too—ones that they've now only mastered—which means your younger siblings have it easy.
5. You're the Advice Giver
You're not just the role model and example setter—you're the person your siblings go to for advice. Of course, sometimes this is a cool thing, because then you get the inside scoop on all the details about your siblings like their first crush or first kiss, but it also means you'll always be expected to give good guidance and suggestions.
6. You're Expected to Learn How to Drive First
Honestly, you're expected to learn how to do everything first, not just driving. You should know how to cook, do chores, drive, get into a good college, get a good job, and overall set a good example for your younger siblings. But specifically for driving, your parents probably just wanted you to get your license so you could pick up your siblings instead of them.
7. You Barely Had Time to Grow Up
Depending on the age difference you have with your siblings, you probably barely had time to grow up before you were awarded the Eldest Sibling label. Heck, you could've still been in diapers yourself! It doesn't matter, though, because once your parents had another kid, you were expected to be the more mature and knowledgeable one.
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8. You Got to Try Out All the New Things Before Everyone Else
Because you had to learn things first, you were probably also given new gadgets to try out before your younger siblings got the same privilege. Getting a new car might have been one thing, but new laptops, phones, and tablets were something you probably got to experience first, too.
9. You Didn't Get Hand-Me-Downs—You Gave Them
Unless you got hand-me-downs from your parents or relatives, you probably only ever gave your old belongings away to your younger siblings. This meant they never had to buy new clothes or shoes or school supplies because you were expected to pass those items down to them. (On the flip side, at least you got them new—not second-hand.)
10. You Had to Share Everything
Nope, even though you bought something or that it's your favorite food or drink, you were still expected to share it with your siblings. If you didn't your parents automatically got cross with you, and—oh, now your siblings are crying, so you're in even bigger trouble. As the older one, nothing is ever truly just yours.
11. You Were Admired by Your Younger Siblings' Friends
You weren't just a role model for your siblings, you were the example setter for their friends, too—especially if these friends didn't have an older sibling themselves. This meant you had a bunch of starry-eyed kids looking up to you as if you were the coolest person ever, which is nice, but it also meant they were probably copying or following you around everywhere.
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12. You Always Had to Let Your Younger Siblings Win
Not only are you expected to share everything with your younger siblings, you're supposed to let them win. Whether that means in games or control over the TV, if your parents were there, you had to give it up. Any complaints from you and you were the one getting a talking-to.
13. All Your School Assignments & Projects Were Scrutinized
While your younger siblings could draw the most horrendous ABCs ever and still get praised by your parents, you, on the other hand, were held to high standards. Your school assignments and projects were expected to be perfect, because again, you're supposed to set an example.
14. You Got to Boss Your Siblings Around
The fun part about being the older one, though? You got to boss your younger siblings around—of course, only when your parents are out of sight. That means sometimes you got away with not doing your chores because you could use your Eldest Sibling card to tell the younger ones to take care of it.
15. You Had No Personal Space
While your younger siblings might have had the privilege of getting their own rooms first, you were left with scraps and a bunk bed. You never had any personal space and your clothes and belongings were always strewn about and mixed in with everyone else's.
16. You Got in Trouble for Things Your Younger Siblings Got Away With
You didn't just get in trouble for everything, you were automatically blamed. If your parents walked into the room and your younger sibling was crying, it was your fault. And if you were the one crying? It's still your fault. You could've been miles away and it's still your fault. Your younger siblings on the other hand? They were always off the hook.
17. You Were Always the Babysitter
Even if you had plans of your own, your parents expected you to babysit. It didn't matter if that meant you had to bring your friends over to avoid canceling a hang-out, they still assumed you as the one for the job. You were probably never able to ever talk yourself out of it, either.
18. You Cringed Whenever Your Younger Siblings Came Up to Your Friends
While you might have enjoyed being the cool older sibling for your younger siblings' friends, you cringed whenever your younger sibling hung around your group. Sure, your friends might have found them cute, but to you? They were embarrassing.
19. You Get to Watch Your Siblings Grow Up
The cool thing about being older, though, is that you get to watch your siblings grow up. You get to see them as newborns, then them going through the same stages you did—first word, first day at school, first crush, and so on. And it never fails to amaze you to see how far they've come. Honestly, you're basically the third parent.
Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash
20. Your Younger Siblings Are Kind of Your Best Friends
You'll never, ever admit it, but your younger siblings are kind of your best friends. Sure, they still embarrass the heck out of you sometimes and you wish you never knew them, but at the end of the day, you cherish their presence, personalities, and perspectives. You're proud that you were able to grow up right along with them.
