10 Perks Of Being The Oldest Child

10 Perks Of Being The Oldest Child

Being the oldest rules.
Ashley Franklin
Ashley Franklin Jul 18, 2016
1762
views

Growing up with siblings can be a real struggle sometimes. They seem to always show up at just the most inconvenient moments and never shut up, no matter how many times you tell them to stop talking and go away. But despite all the trouble that being the oldest child can cause, there were many pros that came along with the position growing up.

1. You got to set the bar as high as you'd like.

Being the oldest, there are no precedents or expectations from your parents. That means whatever great things you do, they are automatically new and exciting for your family. Sorry, younger siblings, for being so awesome.

2. You felt a sense of responsibility at a young age to teach your siblings all the "important stuff" in life -- and they would believe you no matter what.

Having younger siblings looking up to you meant you got to tell them anything (really, no matter how silly, anything), and they'd always automatically believe you because, well, you're the oldest child after all.

3. You got to be bossy.

Younger siblings are somewhat like free labor. When they're young, they'll do anything to be cool, and who better to wash the dishes than them when you're too lazy to do it yourself?

4. You were the first to experience "big kid stuff."

Finding out the truth about Santa, getting a cell phone, or being able to stay out late -- there were many bragging rights that came with the eldest child role and you soaked up the opportunity to be a big kid every chance you got.

5. Being older means automatic dibs -- on everything.

Who gets to pick the TV channel? What about who gets to sit shotgun in the car ride to the store? Or who is the first one to use the shower? Being the oldest meant you could claim whatever you wanted and say, "I call dibs because I'm older."

6. Younger siblings are always your ego-boasting groupies.

Older siblings are looked up to for so many things, and although it could get annoying, you secretly loved how they would always copy your style, phrases, and habits growing up. Like they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery.

7. Standing up for little brothers and sisters made you feel tough.

NO ONE is allowed to bully my younger siblings except me.

8. Hand-me-downs? What are those?

Growing up, you were always the giver of hand-me-downs, but rarely the receiver.

9. You get to watch them grow, and you know you have built-in best friends for life.

Watching your younger siblings grow up is a bittersweet feeling. Being the oldest, you feel proud knowing you helped shaped them, and happy knowing they'll always be there for you.

10. Through it all, you've learned some pretty valuable leadership skills.

Beyond all the jokes and silly times, being the oldest has prepared you for life by teaching you how to help others, be selfless, and take responsibility.

Cover Image Credit: Franklin
Ashley Franklin
Ashley Franklin Jul 18, 2016
At San Diego State University

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I'm A Woman And You Can't Convince Me Breastfeeding In Public Is OK In 2019

Sorry, not sorry.

Megan Crabb
Megan Crabb Oct 27, 2018
16861
views

Lately, I have seen so many people going off on social media about how people shouldn't be upset with mothers breastfeeding in public. You know what? I disagree.

There's a huge difference between being modest while breastfeeding and just being straight up careless, trashy and disrespectful to those around you. Why don't you try popping out a boob without a baby attached to it and see how long it takes for you to get arrested for public indecency? Strange how that works, right?

So many people talking about it bring up the point of how we shouldn't "sexualize" breastfeeding and seeing a woman's breasts while doing so. Actually, all of these people are missing the point. It's not sexual, it's just purely immodest and disrespectful.

If you see a girl in a shirt cut too low, you call her a slut. If you see a celebrity post a nude photo, you call them immodest and a terrible role model. What makes you think that pulling out a breast in the middle of public is different, regardless of what you're doing with it?

If I'm eating in a restaurant, I would be disgusted if the person at the table next to me had their bare feet out while they were eating. It's just not appropriate. Neither is pulling out your breast for the entire general public to see.

Nobody asked you to put a blanket over your kid's head to feed them. Nobody asked you to go feed them in a dirty bathroom. But you don't need to basically be topless to feed your kid. Growing up, I watched my mom feed my younger siblings in public. She never shied away from it, but the way she did it was always tasteful and never drew attention. She would cover herself up while doing it. She would make sure that nothing inappropriate could be seen. She was lowkey about it.

Mindblowing, right? Wait, you can actually breastfeed in public and not have to show everyone what you're doing? What a revolutionary idea!

There is nothing wrong with feeding your baby. It's something you need to do, it's a part of life. But there is definitely something wrong with thinking it's fine to expose yourself to the entire world while doing it. Nobody wants to see it. Nobody cares if you're feeding your kid. Nobody cares if you're trying to make some sort of weird "feminist" statement by showing them your boobs.

Cover up. Be modest. Be mindful. Be respectful. Don't want to see my boobs? Good, I don't want to see yours either. Hard to believe, I know.

Megan Crabb
Megan Crabb Oct 27, 2018
At University of Missouri

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Thank You For Being The Best Big Brother A Girl Could Ever Ask For

A simple "thank you" will not suffice.

Hannah Reann
Hannah Reann Feb 14, 2019
36
views

In simple terms, Thank you.

Thank you for understanding and accepting the fact that you were going to have to deal with a little sister when I showed up in your life twenty years ago. Thank you for understanding that mom and dad were bringing home a baby, instead of a pet for you to play with. Thank you for protecting me since day one. Thank you for being the biggest critic when I needed it the most. Thank you for being there for me during the good times and the bad. Thank you for supporting me at every dance competition, even though I was only on stage for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Thank you for teaching me how a girl should be treated and nothing less. Thank you for never giving up on me, even when I do not understand what you are trying to tell me. Thank you for being the best friend I needed.

Thank you for being you.

When we were kids I wanted to be as cool as you. Following all of your footsteps and trying to be just like you. All I wanted was to be athletic, just like you. I, clearly, did not get that gene but I did try my hardest.

In all honesty, there was no one else in the world I watched and wanted to be like more than you unless it was a princess from a Disney movie or something like that. I'll always remember how annoyed you would be when I would follow you around. I would sit in your room while you play video games and ask you plenty of questions about the games you were playing. Thank you for trying your best to explain it to me. To be honest, it still has not clicked in my brain.

I remember we, more like you, would try to fight and accidentally hurt me. Immediately following, the words "Shh Shh you are fine. Don't tell mom. Shhh." would come out of your mouth. It still happens to this day, but now the words "Oh oops, sorry I didn't mean to hit you that hard. My fault. My fault" as you laugh. How many times have you tried to football tackle me onto my bed? Too many to count, but it has taught me to always watch my back, or keep my door shut.

We both have so much of life to do and I am glad we get to celebrate together.

We've been through a lot of different things over the 20 years we have spent together. There have been good times and bad times. But what I've come to realize most through it all is that you and I have gotten closer each and every day. Between our trips to school every day, sending each other memes that only we laugh at, and just our everyday, normal conversations, somehow you became my best friend.

Now, January of 2019, you are working and I am in college, we don't get to see each other as often as we would both like. You're still my best friend. You always will be. You are the best brother a girl could ask for. I was blessed to become your sister and you were blessed to become my brother. Don't worry, you didn't have to say it, I said that for you. There's no one else in the world I would want to call my brother. Thank you for always supporting me, understanding me, and being someone I could talk to, no matter the situation

To the person who still likes to practice WWE moves on me for no apparent reason other than it is entertaining. Thank you.

With lots of love,

Your favorite, annoying little sister.

Hannah Reann
Hannah Reann Feb 14, 2019
At Illinois State University

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