There's nothing quite like growing up in a big family. It's a constant series of contradictions, like craving privacy but feeling unsettled when no one else is around. There were always struggles (especially when everyone decided they wanted to take a shower at once) but at the end of the day, there was nothing better. For anyone who grew up in a big family, these experiences might sound familiar.

1. When your mom was upset with you, she'd say all of your siblings' names before getting to yours.

Eventually, you and your siblings would all respond to whoever's name came out of her mouth. It was instinctual.

2. If you never had a teacher, they still knew you by your siblings or cousins.

You never got over how unnerving it was to have random teachers come up to you and start conversations in the hallways because they know your family members.

3. It became a sense of pride when you and your siblings all had the same teacher.

Those few teachers almost became honorary family members after having all of you.

4. Everyone always wanted to shower at the same time.

The house would turn into a war zone as you all argued over who would get the chance to shower first.

5. It was always loud in your house.

You could never escape the noise. Even with your bedroom door shut, you could still hear your parents talking or your siblings walking around.

6. It felt unnatural whenever it was quiet.

As much as the noise annoyed you at times, it was comforting knowing your family was around. It always felt weird if you were the only one home.

7. Everyone knows everyone else's business.

No matter how hard you tried to keep something secret from your parents or siblings, someone would inevitably find out.

8. Every small argument turned into a team issue.

What started as two siblings fighting over something small always turned into all siblings getting involved and picking sides.

9. Hand-me-downs were the latest fashion.

It was normal for a shirt or pair of pants to go through all of your siblings before ending up at Goodwill.

10. Your siblings were your first roommates.

Sharing a room with them taught you what you should (and shouldn't) do when living with other people. It was the perfect prep for dorm-living.

11. Your siblings are your built-in best friends.

They've been with you since birth. They're the only ones who understand what it was like to grow up in your house. You honestly don't know what you would do without them. They get under your skin a lot, but you love them and would do anything for them.