After my parents had my sister, they probably didn’t plan on having any more kids. But then I happened and everything changed. Being the youngest of four, and my oldest brother about to go into high school when I was born, there was a world of difference growing up, which most, if not all, youngest children will identify with. Growing up, being the youngest sibling definitely had its cons, but it also had its perks.
1. You never got the front seat and you probably never will.
Yelling “Shotgun!” does nothing since your siblings will always call seniority on you and forcibly make you go in the back of the car.
2. Never understanding as a kid why you had an earlier bed time.
You couldn’t wait till you were your older siblings’ age so you could stay up late, but now you wish you could go back to when you had a nine o’ clock bedtime and didn’t have a care in the world. If only you knew.
3. No one told you anything because you were “too young” to understand.
Even today, the family tries to get things past you. The worst day of their life? When you began learning how to spell and could decode their secret conversations.
4. Everyone was always too busy to play with you or “too old” for “baby games”.
However, this alone time caused you to get creative with your time, which probably has helped you in the long run.
5. Every new school year having to hear “Are you [sibling’s name] brother/sister?!”
You were the younger sibling that they always used for examples in class and now you’re finally old enough for their former teachers to teach you as well. As much as you love hearing about all your siblings’ achievements, you’d rather learn about algebra on this occasion.
6. You get away with a lot more than your siblings did and they constantly remind you of it.
It’s not your fault that mom and dad got more laid back as they aged. While being the youngest can at times have its setbacks, this one here is definitely a perk and your siblings hate it.
7. As soon as your older sibling graduated college, you counted down the days till they got married and started a family.
You couldn’t wait to be the cool and hip aunt/uncle, but as always, as the youngest, that was out of your control.
8. Sometimes your siblings acted more like a second parent.
It definitely got on your nerves (and still does) when your siblings lecture you or report back what you post on social media to your parents, but you’re actually very grateful to have them to go to when you have questions on “adulting” or feel you can’t go to mom in certain situations.
9. No matter how old you are, you will always be “The Baby”.
Whether you’re 5, 18 or even when you turn 50, you will always and forever be the baby of the family, and everyone will always remind you of it as long as you live.
10. You often wished to trade places with your oldest sibling.
But let’s be honest, as much as you wished and wondered what it would be like to be the first born, being the youngest is where it’s at.
