Being the oldest of six, I was treated much differently than my younger family members. Everything was scrutinized and criticized. Times were tough, to say the least. It was commonly known that it was on me to be the best even if I really didn't feel particularly inclined to be the "good example" that day.
There were benefits to being the oldest, don't get me wrong. I was first in line for Christmas presents, and it was always so shocking to everyone how old I had gotten. I was like a family mile marker. "Oh wow, you are in first grade? They grow up so fast." Those were about two of the big perks.
Everything else was kind of downhill. Well, most of it...
1. The babysitter
If mom wanted to take a nap, it was my job to make sure that nobody got into trouble, and if they did, to fix it. Being older, it was on me if they did wrong. I am the oldest, after all.
2. Expected to be super mature
Be mature. Be a leader. That was my role. While they got to frolic in the field, I got stuck with the dishes and everyone’s laundry.
3. My parents were so much stricter with me than my siblings
4. I’m supposed to accept being treated differently
Even my grandmother said, "the oldest, usually, gets the short end of the stick, and that’s just life." I call it unfair, but life’s unfair. At least, that's what I am repeatedly told. If I hear about my place in the family lineage and how it’s an excuse to be treated poorly one more time I may have to see my therapist more than once a week. It’s a problem. I’m the oldest, after all.
5. Bonus baby
At the end of the day, I know its just because they have the highest expectations for me and expect less out of my siblings. Maybe that's a little satisfaction out of all the responsibility. Maybe.
