Waiting outside the bathroom for what seems like forever, fighting over the remote, getting out of a car like a bunch of clowns and sharing basically everything you own are signs that you come from a big family. Life can be unpredictable and fun or stressful and crazy. The coolest part is that you have built-in best friends that you are also allowed to occasionally hate. These are the top 10 things that you might experience if you come from an abnormally large family.
1. You're Sarah, right? No Mom, I'm Katie.
My mom and dad, and everyone else for that matter, constantly get my sister and I confused. They're always asking questions like, "Which one are you again?" My little brother gets called Tommy, Chris, and Patrick before my parents remember his name is Jake. We even get our own names wrong sometimes. There are just way too many to remember.
2. There will always be that one sibling who gets away with everything.
Being the youngest of six, my sister gets away with everything. All she has to do is look at my dad with her huge blue eyes and whatever she wants is hers. For all of us older sisters, we know the struggle.
3. No matter how much they deny it, your parents have a favorite child.
"We love you all equally," and, "You're my favorite daughter named Katie," are frequent responses to the favorite question. We all know you're lying, Mom and Dad. We all know you like Patrick the most, because he's the best at cleaning, and you love Chris because he gave you your first grandchild. What can I say? I'm just the child who doesn't clean her room.
4. Everything revolves around food.
Having four brothers means there is always a lot of food and a lot of eating. My sister and I have gotten good at eating quickly when it comes to family dinners. It's impossible to get seconds if you're not the first one to get there, so efficiency is a must.
5. Family reunions are stressful.
Aunt who? My second cousin twice removed had a baby? How can anyone keep this straight? We all know the awkward feeling when someone claims they're related to you and talks to you forever, but you can't even remember their name. I've gotten used to pretending to know them and asking my mom about it later.
6. You've developed thick skin.
"Teasin' means lovin.'" No one is safe, even the smallest slip-up could be remembered forever. Teasing is fun until it happens to you. Sometimes it gets out of hand and you get your feelings hurt. No one ever means to be mean, but when it happens, you cannot show your real feelings or they'll make fun of those too.
7. One sibling is always stealing everyone else's clothes.
No one is safe from the clothes bandit.
8. "Family" is a relative term.
There may only be five people in this world related to me biologically that I can call my siblings, but the term family includes so many more people. Cousins become siblings, coaches, teachers, friends and even the occasional stranger can become family. Sometimes you even host kids from other countries who eventually become your family. "The more the merrier" is my parents' favorite saying.
9. Odds are, your siblings have experienced everything before you.
From dealing with Mom and Dad to crazy college professors, your siblings have most likely been through it all. In any situation, you can call your older siblings for advice, and they're always willing to help you through it. That's the benefit of a big family. You always have people to count on.
10. The support system is unreal.
Whether it's rejoicing in the good or mourning the bad there will always be a group of people who love and support you unconditionally. They'll help you move all your things to college, listen to you cry when you finish your favorite series on Netflix, and they'll stand right beside you on your wedding day. No matter what the situation is, they will be with you through it all.
