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15 Things You Know to be True When You're the Youngest Child

Our families saved the best for last.

Konner Donté Watson

Jul 30, 2018

Endicott College

160

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https://pixabay.com/en/boys-funny-faces-expressions-286179/

Although me and my siblings were born with three different fathers, and I was the only one of the three to have never switched schools growing up, we still follow the dynamics of a typical family. Not to mention, I'm seven years younger than my sister, and eighteen years younger than my brother, so really thinking about it, my experience of being the youngest child doesn't quite fit the general stereotype of others who are the baby of the family. However, the whole birth order thing still happens, even when you have only one other sibling, or when you're an only child.

As the baby of my family, I didn't have the same expectations set for me by my parents that my elder siblings had to exceed, but that allows me and other people who are the youngest in their families to make our own goals to accomplish. Just like them, I've experienced these things about being the youngest child at some point:

You're the most funny!

https://giphy.com/gifs/bbc-comedy-bbc-two-l3mZ8mNnDwyu5GY1i

While our brothers and sisters usually take everything more seriously, because they're trying to be good role models for us, we think about the same stuff, but with more lightheartedness. Take this knock-knock joke for instance: Knock knock! Who's there? Canoe. Canoe who? Canoe help me with my homework? XD

No problem blending into the crowd.

https://giphy.com/gifs/govballnyc-governors-ball-govball-nyc-matt-and-kim-3o72EZKbG4FiL6VnsA

Standing out in a crowd? Sounds more like the ideal job for the middle child! You get more perks when you're deep in a crowd, all the way from being in school to the real world.

The most creative in the family!

https://giphy.com/gifs/art-animation-artist-26ybuNo5eJMFuSQzC

Our parents don't rag on us about our education, so it's easy for you to let your imagination run free. Rules in the house and in the world get old anyway, as a matter of fact.

You're usually learning from others' mistakes, instead of your own.

https://giphy.com/gifs/FVIflnMFdGoMw

This is a no-brainer anytime our elder siblings screw something up.

You sleep with the lights, and even the TV on.

https://giphy.com/gifs/xT8qBlFXKBi5aCgjAs

Wasting electricity? Pfft! It keeps me occupied and gives me something to dream about, although it's not exactly the ideal binge watching session.

You're watching MTV and anything rated PG-13/TV-14 before you're even in middle school.

https://giphy.com/gifs/kelly-ripa-11q25TvZiRBIvC

Don't forget plenty of inappropriate song lyrics. None of it scars you for life. Truth is, it all just goes right over your head when you first see all of this, but it's so exciting.

Your clothes include hand-me-downs.

https://giphy.com/gifs/zamazon-season-1-zelda-l0ExnWYm0CuH2XN7y

Some of these can be last year's fashion, or anything embarrassing from the last decade. It's all worth it anyway, because you can set some new trends among you and your friends. If your siblings are all the opposite gender of you, then good luck with that...

No fighting for privileges!

https://giphy.com/gifs/reality-tv-hallelujah-thank-you-jesus-qE8EuaecyLH6U

Video games, cell phones and computers aren't even a factor in this. You get to tell your brother or sister, "Since you're old enough to drive, can you get me to the mall?", or "Can you drive me and my friends to see the concert?"

Your opinion barely gets taken seriously.

https://giphy.com/gifs/destorm-destorm-power-3o8dFwze0Tz8umFQhW

Let me get this straight. Just because we're the baby of the family, our voices shouldn't be heard? I love all of you, but you're being ridiculous. My competency level is even higher than the pet, FYI.

You want all the attention from your relatives!

https://giphy.com/gifs/arrogant-3rd-rock-from-the-sun-HVpQd5UekQsBW

Good listener? Check. Go without a compliment or any kind of feedback when you visit? Not in your wildest dreams *flips hair*.

Being alone when your siblings leave for college.

https://giphy.com/gifs/glee-rachel-berry-santana-lopez-5UVf8D2OHxduw

You get so used to getting away with murder when they're around, you can't imagine a day without them. Always cherish all those times that your parents went out, and put them in charge of you.

You keep track of others' secrets.

https://giphy.com/gifs/reality-tv-tea-wendy-williams-RlXE8bnU1RE2Y

You have the reputation of being trustworthy, but sometimes you also have a penchant for drama and gossip.

You prefer to be around more mature people, per se.

https://giphy.com/gifs/punk-rock-dance-6xFPk1zpo3wVG

I feel like an "old soul" when I'm around people my age. Finding peers that are also the baby of their family is an odyssey of epic proportions.

Being stuck in your siblings' shadow.

https://giphy.com/gifs/black-and-white-sad-britney-spears-HEwZhGIlc7vHO

This happens a lot during school. Doesn't help when teachers who hate my siblings compare me to them. Luckily, you have thick skin, so that makes it easy for you pave your own way.

Always gonna be the baby!

https://giphy.com/gifs/HallmarkChannel-hallmark-channel-mtp-4Z0cDOqfNllJ43h1Lj

We're the last in everything, from getting rocked to sleep to graduating from high school and/or college. Our siblings, although we get on each others' nerves, unconditionally have our backs. The bottom line is, our family will always let us know just how much we're adored.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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15 Things You Know to be True When You're the Youngest Child

Our families saved the best for last.

You're the most funny!

No problem blending into the crowd.

The most creative in the family!

You're usually learning from others' mistakes, instead of your own.

You sleep with the lights, and even the TV on.

You're watching MTV and anything rated PG-13/TV-14 before you're even in middle school.

Your clothes include hand-me-downs.

No fighting for privileges!

Your opinion barely gets taken seriously.

You want all the attention from your relatives!

Being alone when your siblings leave for college.

You keep track of others' secrets.

You prefer to be around more mature people, per se.

Being stuck in your siblings' shadow.

Always gonna be the baby!

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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