I enjoy being the eldest. Some like to believe that being the eldest means you get the "special treatment." You are the first born, so everyone was so excited for your arrival. You are showered with comments of your future looking so bright. And of course, anyone you know compares your siblings to you because you are the first person they got to recognize in your family. But there are also a lot of struggles as well...
1. Your siblings mimic your behavior.
So if you act up to your parents, chances are they will as well.
2. You are the human guinea pig
You are the test and trial child. You are your parents first opportunity at guiding an underdeveloped person into the world. So if you don't end up the way your parents intended, well, they have a chance with the other children.
3. You decide not to have children 'till you're like...45.
It is hard not to feel responsible for your own siblings. Especially when you have been through all the rough patches in life before they have. And the idea of doing that all over again makes you go, "Nah, I'm good."
4. You get emotional when you see your siblings get older.
Realizing that they aren't always going to be little and innocent breaks your heart. And when they accomplish their goals, you are so proud of them.
5. You constantly need to act like you know what you are doing.
You are the leader of the pack. So you need to always be a step ahead. But, let's be honest...you are just as confused as anyone else.
6. You believe you can handle anything.
Being the oldest means you are pushed into a lot of unknown territory. And you learn to take whatever comes your way. But sometimes, even you have a hard time handling it.
7. You wait for your parents to tell you when you are too old for certain things.
You don't have anyone to look up to except for your parents. So you wait for them to say what you should be doing with your life. And when they tell you it's time to grow up, you know it's time.
8. You feel weird about only taking care of yourself.
Once you get to college, it doesn't feel right leaving everyone behind. And you feel like you need to take care of somebody else.
9. You want to be cool toward your younger siblings friends.
You don't want to be the boring older sibling. And you still want to stay in the loop with your siblings and their friends. But you get to a certain age where you don't really understand how to seem "cool" to the younger crowd.
10. When you take your siblings out in public, people will mistake them for your kids.
Trust me....this has happened numerous times.
11. You will do anything to make sure your parents and siblings are happy.
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You struggle between wanting your independence and getting out there to make a difference in the world. But at the same time you know your family is the most important thing in the world to you, and you will drop whatever it is you are doing to be there for your family.
