When I came into this world as the little miracle my parents like to tell me I am, I had three older siblings. They were 14, 12, and 9. They were born in the 80s while I was a 90s kid. We sometimes argue if we are in the same generation - are we all Millennials, or am I Generation Z? Being the Super Baby, the Caboose, or whatever your family likes to call you can be tons of fun, but it can also make life confusing. No matter what, though, I wouldn't trade my older sibs for the world.
Here's what life tends to be like when your siblings are 10 years older than you:
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1. You grew up with an additional set of parents.
I've been led to believe that siblings close in age have each other's backs, but when everyone else is grown and mature, you just have more people trying to lead you in the right direction (and sometimes rat you out to mom).
2. People like to tell you that you were a mistake.
The only thing that's funny about this is they think it's an original comment. When you're starting elementary school while your sister is starting college, you know that something doesn't quite add up.
3. You started having intellectual conversations at a young age.
Adults probably went into shock when they heard what you were talking about and the vocabulary you had, but you didn't grow up in a household of baby talk. Kitchen table conversation was adult conversation, so you had to advance to fit in.
4. Your siblings complain about all the things you get.
They didn't have a phone when they were 13 - but you also have to point out that cell phones weren't a thing when they were 15.
5. You became an aunt or uncle at a very young age.
It's almost like having another set of siblings, because you're trapped in the middle. You're also expected to be an on-call babysitter, to make up all the times they were stuck watching you.
6. You had to be a little bit tougher growing up, because they didn't go easy on you.
If mom isn't looking, you were getting tackled to the ground just as hard as everyone else, even if you weighed a whole 50 pounds less and were a foot and a half shorter.
7. You still have to convince them that you're not a baby anymore.
Sometimes they seemed shocked by the things that you do, and you have to remind them that you actually aren't too young for that.
8. You still get a kick out of people thinking you're their child, rather than sibling.
As a kid I loved to call my oldest sister "Mom" so people thought I was hers. And by "as a kid" I mean last week.
9. You feel like you have a lot more pressure on you to succeed.
Not only do you have the bar of what Mom and Dad accomplished, but you also have all of their accomplishments. You try your hardest to surpass everyone to show that you're not just the baby sitting in a poopy diaper.
10. You get told all of the tips and tricks for surviving Mom and Dad.
You siblings already tested them for years, so they know what makes them mad or how to get your tank filled up.
11. You will always play the baby card so you can win your parents' affections.
While your siblings are out working in the real world, you're watching a movie on the couch and being pampered because your parents can't stand to see their baby struggling.
12. You make fun of how old your siblings are, and will be.
I love reminding my sisters that when I'm in my 60s, they'll be in their 80s. I'll be the only one living wild and free while they're in the nursing home.
13. Sometimes you get sad about all that you missed.
You'll remember that there are 10 years of family that you will never get to know. Plus that trip to Disney World the whole family took the year before you were born.
14. You've joked about being an only child.
Once you're the only one at home, it's almost like you have no siblings.
15. Nothing beats being the baby.
You know that you have five grown-ups looking out for you. Whether you need a ride to Urgent Care or someone to pick you up from the bar, you always have someone to turn to. Plus, they all totally spoil you.
