"Youngest child syndrome" is basically when you’re always seen as the baby. You are the one that they are over protective about and the one that they worry most about. I have experienced this all my life being the youngest. My sister is 24 and I am 20. With it just being my mom, sister, and I, it becomes like I sometimes have two moms. Losing my father has made my mom and sister even more over protected and I could not ask for any better of a mom and sister. Although I love them with all my heart, it is an upward battle sometimes to not be the baby of the family.

You get told what to do all the time

Growing up, I was always told what to do and that’s common. It hit a point that when you get older, you assume that they will slowly tell you what to do less and less. Not in my case. At twenty years old, I am still told to do the most basic things that are common knowledge to do. I will hear “Ryan, did you brush your teeth” or “Ryan, did you shower” often. At age 20, those things are common knowledge to do and I still get told even when I go to school 12 hours away. Although, I would miss the constant reminders even if I know what to do. it shows that they care and just are thinking about you.

They worry about you the most

When you are the baby of the family, it becomes a constant struggle to have them not worry. If I do not text my mom directly when I get in, she worries. If the weather is even just a little bad out, she doesn’t want me to drive in it. When you’re the youngest, they see you as the last child so they are extra protective. Being the youngest, it is a struggle to show that they do not need to worry so much that you're responsible. They know that you're responsible, but they will always worry. CONSTANTLY, for no reason at times. It shows that you are loved and cared for, so appreciate it before complaining and think of it from their perspective.

They don’t want you to grow up or move away

Going to school in South Carolina was a shock for my mom and sister. They both stayed close to home, going maybe 5 hours away at most. I chose to go far with two flights to get home and in another state. A 12-hour drive home is not a much better option over the two flights. They love that I love my school and my town but that doesn’t stop then from mentioning that there are closer schools to them and that it would be easier to see each other. The mention of me living far is enough for them to say no. In my sister’s eyes, I may be an adult but I’m still a five years old. Well, she wishes… I would miss my family if I lived far and I do miss them but distance makes the heart grow fonder.

While being the youngest has its setback, I wouldn’t want to change anything. I love feeling like I have two of the best advocates for me. I wouldn’t want to change a thing about how I was raised or how I was treated by my family. They have supported me all my life and have given me some of the best advice I could ask for. So maybe being the youngest is not the worst thing that could have happened. Listen to what your mom and sister or sibling say because even if you think it is nagging, it isn’t. They just want what’s best for you and they always will be there for you. If I have learned anything in my experience, it is that conversation and being open with each other is the key to a peaceful household. Being the youngest may be hard at times and an upward fight half the time but it also is an amazing experience.