The Pros And Cons Of Being The Older Sibling | The Odyssey Online
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The Pros And Cons Of Being The Older Sibling

Sometimes I wish I could trade places.

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The Pros And Cons Of Being The Older Sibling
Alexa Jurgeleit

One year and nine months after I was born, my brother came into the world and ruined my perfect life with mom and dad. Since then, I have been the older (and cooler) sibling. Sometimes I love being the big sis, and other times I definitely do not. Here is a list of the pros and cons of being the older sibling.

1. PRO: You Have More Baby Pictures

Your parents were so fascinated with the new baby in their lives so they took tons of pictures of you, usually doing absolutely nothing, but looking adorable, nonetheless. By the second child, your parents weren't as interested, so you notice a significant difference between the number of pictures of you, and of your younger sibling. You will never run out of tbt pictures for as long as you live.

2. CON: You Have To Go Through School Without Advice

Being the older sibling means that there was no one before you to test the waters at school, and relay back the message of which teachers were good, and what classes you should take. You also have to struggle through hard homework and labs without any guidance from an older sibling who has already done the same assignments. Your younger sibling is blessed to have an older sibling going through school first.

3. PRO: You (Probably) Have Fewer Injuries

Like the first pro, your parents were basically obsessed with you and wouldn't ever let you out of their sight. They also probably held you tighter and were more cautious when moving you around. This would mean that you were safe and sound, with no bumps or bruises, while your younger sibling probably got dropped upside down a few times, on accident of course.

4. CON: Your Parents Are More Strict With You

There are so many things that my brother is able to do that I would never have thought of even asking my parents to do at his age. Leaving the house to go out at 9? Never. I would never have left the house past 6:30 or 7. Being out but not constantly texting mom and dad to let them know where I'm going next? Unthinkable. Coming home after curfew? Nope. It's totally unfair.

5. PRO: You Get Your License First

Being older means that you get your freedom first. You get to go out and drive yourself around, while the little sibling has to still get rides from parents (or you now) if they want to go anywhere.

6. CON: You Have Similar Curfews

Somehow, my brother's curfew ended up being the same as mine even though I am two years older. I am always one of the first people to leave a small gathering/party/etc. because I have to be home super early, and don't forget, on time. My younger brother also gets to come home at the same time, but like I mentioned before, it's fine if he's a little late. I assume my parents must think that I'm up to no good (despite having no reason to think so) which is why they won't make my curfew later. Somehow being older automatically makes you more of a "troublemaker."

7. PRO: You Get To Be In Charge

For a while, before you and your sibling were old enough to handle yourselves, you would be the one in charge when mom and dad left you guys alone. You were the "babysitter" that got to tell your younger sibling that they couldn't have any oreos because you said so. Now, since you're both older, your younger sibling would probably say some unkind things to you if you tried to limit their oreo intake.

8. CON: You Get "Tattled" On

Little siblings are more than happy to tell mom and dad what you did if they know that it wouldn't be approved of. This isn't just a childish thing, it happens no matter how old your sibling is. They thrive on tattling on you. You, however, would never rat them out because you're kind and you know what it feels like. You just can't figure out why the younger sibling won't reciprocate the kind gesture.

9. PRO: You're The Cool, Older Sibling

When you were little and went to a friends house and saw their older sister or brother, you immediately got nervous and tried to act cool, like you weren't seven years old. Now, you are the cool, older sibling, and you get to make your sibling's friends nervous. Simply being old makes you a stud in little kids' eyes.

10. CON: You're The Guinea Pig

Just like going through school, you have to try out everything first. Sometimes being the guinea pig is good, like when you learn to drive. However, it is not always good, and sometimes you just wish you had someone who had done everything before you had to do it. It can be tiring being the guinea pig.

11. PRO: You Got New Clothes

Being older means that you always have, and always will, get new clothes. There is no one to pass on hand-me-downs to you (unless you're like me and had older cousins and had to dress like a boy until you were six). Your younger sibling, however, had to wear a lot of your new clothes once they weren't cool and new anymore.

12. CON: You Don't Get Ca$h Money

Mom and dad are less willing to give you money when you want to do something fun, that also costs money. Fun activities come from your own pocket. Your younger sibling's fun activities come from mom and dad's pocket, for some reason. Sometimes you are offered money (and you feel bad taking it because you're a kind person), but the younger bro or sis seems to get offered moola much more frequently.

13. PRO: You Are An Adult First

Even if you're technically not an adult yet, at one point in your life, you begin to feel closer to mom and dad than you do to your younger sibling. In your eyes, they still seem like a child, while you become the mature adult, and this is the best pro of them all.

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