Being born into a family where you have brothers and sisters running around is a blessing and a curse, but being the oldest comes with a whole new set of responsibilities. From the second you become the oldest sibling, there are struggles you face that no one else understands.
1. Parents were so much more cautious with you.
Being the first born, parents naturally do all they can to protect you. Which included a ridiculously early curfew, strict rules about dating and who/when you were allowed to hang out with, all of which were basically abolished when your sibling reached the same age because your parents realized how dumb the rules were.
2. Your siblings learn from your mistakes.
Every time you mess up as an older sibling, the younger sibling is right there to learn not to make the same mistakes that you've made.
3. You're a guide for everything they do.
You are the ultimate key to what classes to take, where to go to dinner on a first date and how to pass the license test on the first try. But you had to figure out all of these things on your own.
4. It's hard to stay relevant in your younger sibling's life.
A couple of years is a big enough gap that sometimes when your siblings tell you about things in their life, you're likely to have no idea who or what they're talking about. You try to be hip to the people in their lives, but you can't hep but become old and irrelevant.
5. No one is ever good enough for them.
Anyone that they start to date you automatically dislike, because you know that no one will ever be good enough for your little sibling.
6. You're like a third parent to them.
When you find out they did something behind your parents' backs, they can expect a text from you scolding them and attempting to put them in their place.
7. When you don't live in the same place, it's hard to be caught up on their life.
Whether you're separated by a few towns, different states or even just across campus, when you don't live in the same house as your sibling anymore it's hard to stay up-to-date on all of the happenings in their life.
8. You want to dictate every aspect of their life.
From where they go to college to what they wear to prom, you have to have the final say — and if it doesn't go your way you're not going to be happy about it.
9. You brag about them to everyone.
Anyone who's willing to listen knows how awesome your little sibling is, even if they have absolutely no clue who they are.
10. It took you awhile to realize how cool your little sibling is.
You probably fought with your sibling up until the time you had to leave for college, and now being away from your literal day one BFF is the hardest part about being away from home.
