Having a big family is definitely a huge part of my life. I can honestly say it has shaped who I am as a person and I'm sure others who have a similar situation as me can relate. I have two little brothers and one older sister as well as about thirty cousins who are constantly around. We all live in New Jersey so we are really close and see each other a lot. Though I sometimes get fed up with having to share everything and never having time to myself I wouldn't change a thing about my family. I present you with 11 things people with a big family can relate to!
1. Your things are YOUR things!!!
When you share a house with a lot of people your things can easily get lost or become someone else's. I've learned to be very protective over my stuff whether it's my phone or even just a pencil. My stuff is mine when it comes to sharing with my siblings.
2. You are very competitive.
Even if you aren't from a big family you know that everything with siblings can become a competition. The more siblings you have the more opponents you have in life. This type of competitiveness leaked into my everyday life and now I have to win at everything (Which I do).
3. You're very loud.
When you spend most of the time yelling to be heard it kind of becomes a habit so sorry if I scream at you.
4. The struggle of finding snacks.
At my house, my Mom has to hide food to make sure we don't eat it before we're supposed to. Cookies for lunch are always in a random drawer in the dining room under the tablecloths and chips are behind the vases in the cabinet above the oven. Just because my parents hide everything doesn't mean we don't find them.
5. Car rides
Planes tickets are expensive so my family always opts for taking a car. I am 14 and have never been on a plane, but have traveled a lot around the east cost. My record is 25 hours in a minivan with six people including a crying baby.
6. "I can't my family isn't home"
I don't care if you're just an acquaintance or my best friend I am not giving up being home alone to hang out with you. I get to be home alone for about an hour a month so I'm not going to waste it.
7. I'm the favorite
I don't think siblings arguing over who their parents favorite is strictly a big family thing, but I had to include it. When it comes to my family I am obviously my parents favorite so I thought I should give you guys a tip on how to be the favorite. Stay out of the house or in your room as much as you can. If you aren't always surrounding them screaming you could become the favorite by default.
8. Sharing rooms
Up until I was 13 I had to share a room with my older sister. Now her room is in the attic and my room is the same one we used to share. My brothers still have to share a room and probably will until they move out.
9. Babysitting
My sisters' room is on the third floor of our house so she can't hear what's going on downstairs making me the default babysitter. Since my parents both work, I used to babysit for about 2 hours every school day. This has changed since my brothers have gotten older, but I still have to look after them every so often.
10. Copying
This one happens when you have younger siblings and gets really old fast. I used to get annoyed when my brother would order the same food at a restaurant as me or like the same shows as me. My parents would always say that it was because he looked up to me, but that didn't stop it from being annoying.
11. Having an Ally
Despite getting into fights when you have siblings you have a lifelong ally in life. Someone who you can hang out with at boring parties you parents drag you to and if you guys are close someone to cover for you when you break a lamp (Thanks, guys).