I am the oldest sibling in my family. I have two younger brothers, and we are each 4.5 years apart. As much as I love them, there are times where I regret asking Santa for a baby brother or sister. Being the oldest of three is incredibly frustrating. Younger siblings just do not understand the struggles we go through being the oldest. Here are a few:
Life is great being an only child at first. You get all the love and affection because you are the only child your parents have to pay attention to. When the new baby comes along, that immediately disappears. People start giving all that attention to the baby, and you feel left out. Although the initial infatuation with the new baby fades away, you will never get the same amount of attention because it has to be split equally.
As the oldest, you are your parents first child. This means that everything you first experience, also is a first for them. So naturally, parents are harder on you because they are worried about how you'll turn out. You had a 10:30 p.m. curfew? Your little brother has a midnight curfew instead.
Having younger siblings also increases your chances of getting in trouble often. Not only do they cause you to do stupid things, they do their own stupid things and get you in trouble for that too! Who forgot to let the dog out to go to the bathroom? Your little sister, but technically you because you should have made sure she did it.
You are the role model to your younger siblings. What this means is that you can't screw up or else your siblings will end up like you. Parents basically ask you to be a responsible adult, even if you aren't an adult yet. They expect you to behave and be helpful. When your siblings misbehave, it is covered up by the fact that they are too young to understand, but when you misbehave, you should have known better.
It just isn't fair; they get away with everything! When you got caught lying about your test grade, you were grounded for a month and had to see a tutor once a week. Your baby sister? She got a "just don't do it again."
Luckily for your parents, they now have an on-call babysitter. Say goodbye to friends and a social life you thought you had, now you have to make sure they don't burn the house down while your parents are at work.
Oh, don't forget the driving. The second you get your license, you're the new taxi. Your little brother has soccer? Better get going, you don't want him to be late. You'll probably have to get a second job to pay for the gas you spend driving your little siblings to and from friends' houses and sporting events.
Worst of all, they learn from your mistakes. Now this may seem selfish, but it really just isn't fair. You get to screw up and get in trouble as much as possible, but they get to see what you do wrong. All your regrets turn into their successes. You didn't get honors in high school? Your little sister did. You didn't try out for lacrosse? Your brother did and made the varsity team. Everything you wish you had done better or even done at all, your little siblings do. They achieve all your goals and you continue to make mistakes that they should eventually thank you for.
Being the oldest does suck, but it also has its benefits. I could not imagine my life without my two younger brothers, nor would I want to. Once you get past all of the annoyances and frustrations, being the oldest sibling really isn't the worst thing in the world.
