“Hi, I’m Kayleigh and I’m the oldest of five”. For the past eleven years, every time I was told to say my name and a fun fact the first thing I made sure people knew about me was that I have four younger siblings. When I was eight, and my youngest brother was born, I said it out of pride because I had the biggest family in the class.

As I got older, though, I continued saying it because I thought of my identity as an older sister as the most important piece of me. My four younger siblings have made tremendous impacts on my life and now I constantly have people telling me I’m “such an oldest child”. Throughout the years, I’ve found that to mean a wide variety of things.

1. You can drive carpools with the best of them

And lots of different types too… Picking up from playdates, dropping off at volleyball practice, or driving a loud group of boys home from hockey. Whatever is needed that night, really.

2. You are the resident tutor

First time doing long division? Need a paper typed? Have to go through flashcards the night before the test? Never fear, the older sibling is here to help.

3. You have had to send the “can my sister/brother come with?” text

It doesn’t matter if it’s a movie, dinner, trip to the mall, quick ice cream stop, or a date with that guy you’ve been swooning over in math class. If the little sib needs to tag along, the little sib will be tagging along.

4. You have lost your cool (a few times)

“Leave me alone! Can’t you guys just stop screaming? Oh my gosh that is my hairbrush!” Little siblings can get under your skin with the best of them, and even though you’re supposed to be the bigger person, sometimes you can’t help but flip out.

5. You have the best support group ever

Sure, they drive you crazy sometimes, but let’s be real here, when you’re a little sick of people your own age and need to smile, you know you always turn to your little siblings.