If you grew up in a family with three or more siblings, you can probably ramble off a long list of differences that your home had from those of most of your friends. Although a big family can be a pain in the butt, most of us have eventually come to love and appreciate the double amount of bickering and laughter that came from the household.
1. Leaving the bathroom door unlocked... always
Really, it would not be your typical morning routine without someone in the shower, another person going to the bathroom and someone else brushing their teeth. All in the bathroom. All at once. If you dare lock the door, prepare for some vicious pounding on the door or an armed break-in with the aid of a bobby pin.
2. You can never assume that your food is safe
Whether it is your special cereal that you bought or leftovers from dinner out the night before, put your name on it, or else it remains fair game for everyone. No name, no rights.
3. Being used to sharing a bedroom
Possibly the only people that ever had a room to themselves were the oldest or maybe even the second oldest. After that, the thought of having your own room to yourself was an outlandish idea. While this may have been the cause of WWIII in your house, it probably also provided some of your fondest memories of falling asleep talking to your roommate about any and everything. This also made the transition into communal living at college a breeze. A roommate? I've already had three.
4. Multiple group messages for just your family
Each time there's a family announcement, it goes out to "Fam". In addition to that, you have got a separate group message for just the girls/boys, one with siblings + mom, and then the most sacred group "Favorite Siblings". (Just make sure the others don't find out about it)
5. For Sisters: having multiple closets
Not only do you have your closet, but often you also have another one or two that you happen to glance through every once in a while. Often you get compliments such as "I like your shirt!" and you have to respond with "Thanks, it's my sisters, but don't tell her."
6. Having a backup outfit in case you are matching someone
I cannot tell you how many times I have come downstairs to see that I am wearing the exact same outfit as one of my siblings. Down to the color of our socks. So unless you want to walk around looking like twins for the rest of the day, one of you has got to change. The decision is usually made by Rock, Paper, Scissors Shoot or nose goes. The loser always stomps upstairs to change.
7. Struggling to fit everyone in one picture
It's hard enough to coordinate to make sure that everyone can take a picture without blinking or not smiling, but what is even harder for a big family is making sure everyone can fit. You often hear "squeeze together!" in an effort to make sure no one's limb or face is cut off because you know all hell will break loose if that happens.
8. Taking two cars everywhere
Unless you own a small bus or a caravan, two vehicles were always required. Everyone fought over getting a seat in the car that left first from any type of social function because no one wanted to risk staying 30 minutes past the party ended because Mom had to finish her conversation with her friend.
9. Someone always knew one of your siblings
Whether it was the first day of school, participating on a new sports team, or entering into the youth group at church, you always got an interesting look from the adults when they saw your last name.
10. Not fitting at the dinner table
Whether it was trying to fit all of the food for the family on the table or being seated elbow to elbow on benches (yes, benches because chairs could not fit enough people) there was never enough space at the dinner table when everyone was eating at home. An elbow in the face was not uncommon and then there was that one sibling who was left handed that nobody wanted to sit next to.
11. Always guaranteed (number of siblings) amount of likes on every post
Even though the picture may be blurry and not have the best caption, you can always count on your siblings to come through and double tap it just because they are related to you and loyal.
12. There's a good chance your family will leave a legacy at a college
In my case, I am the fourth child in my family to go to the same school in which my two in-laws also attended. There's one black sheep of the family who decided to ruin the legacy. I won't say any names.
13. You will always have enough resources to complete your article
Google search? Conduct a survey? No, I'll just ask my siblings. They are credible, reliable sources, right?
S/O to Jared, Marla, John, Hannah, Kait and Lou
