Being an Older Sibling is Almost Adulting | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Being an Older Sibling is Almost Adulting

Defining a childhood built on another

32
Being an Older Sibling is Almost Adulting
Funny.net

It is no joke when research shows that the eldest sibling usually turns out to strive for perfection, is protective, and is (more likely than not) ready to take on adulthood sooner than the younger siblings that follow.

Being the eldest from my mother, and yet having older step-brothers that I once lived with in my childhood, I understand both roles nearly perfectly.

Let me just jump on and say that not in every case does the eldest experience this -- it very well may be that the younger one tends to be more responsible and cautious with every day life. But in my case, it is the opposite and most research shows that I am part of the majority statistic.

Those of you who are an older sibling or even the eldest, can understand that you have probably learned to "adult" more quickly than you ever desired, as if "adulting" was a verb you ever wanted to be a part of.


1. You Probably Hate Disappointing Your Parents/Elders - Those flashbacks of spankings with the infamous wooden spoon (was that just me?), belt, or even... the dreaded sandal where there was no time for negotiation when your mother ripped it off her foot to give you a quick yet unforgettable punishment. This has taught you to keep your manners in check with everyone and anyone, and has been the reminder that you absolutely hate getting in trouble with any kind of authority. Don't worry, though, this will eventually make you successful in school as well as the workplace.

2. You Have Learned to Check Twice or More - Just like Santa Claus, you have learned that checking twice does some good. If you ever lost something but only checked one time, the reply was usually "if I come in there and find it myself..." and this caused a slight panic within your chest area, for fear of the unfinished sentence itself, making you race back to where you started. Again, this will come in handy when you start to adult hardcore, become forgetful, and lose your keys even though they are still in your hand or purse.

3. You Were a Professional Before Uber - Ah, yes, since being the eldest meant that you could drive first (and your parents no longer had to) you were almost nearly always "volunteered" to drive your siblings to every sports gathering, dentist appointment, and to stop and get groceries on your way home from school (don't worry, she will pay you back later). Congratulations, you're even closer to adulthood because you've figured out that playing taxi driver is actually a significant amount of parenthood and you start realizing why your parents had a painful look on their face every time you asked them to take you somewhere before you had your own mode of transportation.

4. You Realize Why You Were Fed Frozen Dinners - For all those years you laughed at your mom's excuse of "I can't cook" you have now come to realize that it's not the case at all. It is for the pure fact that cooking takes a lot of effort and time, and now that you have been asked to cook for your siblings, you want nothing more than those Totino's Pizza Rolls to come back so they can be easily popped in the microwave. But never fear, you've gained great insight on what it will be like to be a real parent, trying to come up with creative dinners for the whole fam.

5. It's No Longer "Babysitting" - That term usually required payment at the end of the night, but now your parents want a night out, and you're the most reliable one to call and your sibling is no longer a 'baby' even though they sometimes sure do act like it. Again, though, this has made you realize how lucky your younger sibling has it but how blessed they are to have you as their older brother/sister; and how you actually love being around others' children... (mostly because you can give them back).

6. Only YOU can Pick on Your Siblings - Anyone else is just a no-no. At this point you are ready to put on your overprotective pants and put someone else in a choke-hold. When you say they smell weird, make fun of how they dance, or decide to have a wrestling match in the living room floor, that's okay. Anyone else who is not related is just asking for your older sibling powers to kick in.. and it won't be pretty. You're there for them forever and they know it.

Even though these are just a few of the things you have learned as the eldest sibling, and you still are not quite an expert at this whole "adulting" thing, you have come to realize how much of a rewarding job it is. You still need help on filling out your taxes, negotiating with student aid, and overall deciding what to do with your future, but you've got this - being the older sibling has given you some forecast on how to do it. Us older siblings need to watch out for each other. And to you younger ones out there... you're welcome.

And if you happen to be twins... well, have fun with the age-old argument of who came first!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1841
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1124
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200334
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20965
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments