I’ve always felt very fortunate that I’ve had the opportunity to be brought up in a large family. Although I can admit to being jealous of friends who didn’t have any siblings and whose parents spoiled them growing up, I wouldn’t trade my family for all the luxuries in this world. In fact, I can definitely say I’ve learned quite a lot coming from a large family.

1. Attention will rarely be on you

When coming from a large family there will always be a million and one things happening at once. To have any, if not all of the attention on you is extremely rare.

2. You have to be loud if you want to be heard

Going along with struggling to have everyone’s attention, being heard does not come easy. When having a conversation over a family dinner, the volume tends to increase as everyone fights to get his or her voice to be heard.

3. Being spoiled by your parents is not in the cards for you

Some parents will buy their children absolutely anything they ask for, some will decide to treat their children more than normal, but when you have a bunch of siblings that is very unlikely for you. Coming from a big family you might hear, “If I get it for you I have to get it for all your siblings,” far too often. Instead of getting all the newest clothes and toys, hand-me-downs become your best friend.

4.You’ll get blamed for things you didn’t do

When there are too many people living under one roof, it’s easy to get blamed for things you didn’t do. Whether something is misplaced, or someone’s food has been eaten, when you come from a large family, you’ll most likely be blamed for plenty of things you didn’t do.

5. You may not be your parents favorite

With too many children in a family, it can be easy to tell which one the parents deem as the favorite. Luckily, you can work your charm and become your grandpa’s favorite.

6. Being alone can be uncomfortable

When you grow up in a big family, you’re used to constantly having people around you. When you finally do have a moment to yourself it seems a bit weird and you start to wonder where everyone is.

7. You are far more independent

Since there are so many children in your family, your parents can’t hold your hand through everything. This leaves plenty of time for you to teach yourself and learn to be a more independent person.

8. What’s yours turns into “ours” real quick.

Your personal belongings don’t just belong to you when you have a bunch of siblings. Your belongings often go from being yours to “ours” being forced to share everything you own, and if you decide not to share, they’ll end up taking it anyway.

9. Siblings are your best friends

Although you may fight constantly and get on each other’s last nerves, you wouldn’t trade your siblings for anything in the world. Your siblings are the best friends you can’t get rid of.

10. Family over everything

The most important thing I learned from growing up in a large family is that family is the most important thing in the world. These are the people that will be there for you through everything and anything. If you don’t have your family, whom do you have?