Not only am I the oldest child, but I'm the oldest grandchild on both sides of my family. While it comes with its advantages, there are also quite a few disadvantages.
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1. Perk: There's no bar set by older siblings or cousins.
While there are expectations set by my parents and grandparents, there's no one to compare your results to. If anything, that makes you the example for people that come after you. While that allows you to create a standard, that does involve a lot of pressure to represent yourself well and continue to do the right thing.
2. Con: You're always the responsible one.
Older is usually attached to mature, meaning that things are typically left for you to do when there's no adult around. You're the go-to babysitter, cleaner, tutor and errand runner, which can be a bit tedious at times. When things go wrong under your watch, no matter how big or small, you're the one held accountable, and if YOU make a mistake, God help you.
3. Perk: You're the first to do everything!
First days at new schools, important milestones and award ceremonies are your times to shine. Every time something happens, in comes my grandma with her disposable camera ready to snap away. You're the first in a new generation to have those experiences, and everyone wants to be there to capture every angle of it. While it can become pesky, you have to admit that the attention is pretty nice.
4. Con: You can become a bit of a ham...
You can become used to all of the attention that you get on your special days, that you start finding new ways to make typical days appear to be special days. Honestly, it's rather unfortunate.
5. Con: You still are a child, regardless of the amount of responsibilities you have.
You may have the most responsibility out of all of the other kids, but you are still, in fact, a kid. It takes a while for you to work your way up to the adult table at family dinners and for you to not have to leave the room during adult conversations.
6. Perk: You learn leadership skills every single day.
Every day in my house is a leadership lesson. It's the little things that add up to who you are as a leader.
7. Con: Leadership can turn into bossiness.....
When you're a kid, it's hard not to let the "power" of being the oldest go to your head. To say that I've overstepped some boundaries in my lifetime is a complete understatement. Whether it's been with adults or peers, I've had to take a step back and learn when my leadership turns into aggressive bossiness.
