Being stuck in your siblings' shadow. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Siblings

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

Our families saved the best for last.

168
https://static.rappler.com/images/6chinie-20130804.jpg
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.

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

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

315275
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Yoga love

A long over due thank you note to my greatest passion.

28411
A person in a yoga pose surrounded by a supportive community of fellow yogis with a look of peace and gratitude on their face the image should convey the sense of strength mindfulness and appreciation that the writer feels towards yoga
StableDiffusion

Dearest Yoga,

You deserve a great thank you.

Keep Reading...Show less
Arts Entertainment

Epic Creation Myths: Norse Origins Unveiled

What happened in the beginning, and how the heavens were set in motion.

9168
The Norse Creation Myth

Now, I have the everlasting joy of explaining the Norse creation myth. To be honest, it can be a bit kooky, so talking about it is always fun. The entire cosmos is included in this creation myth, not just the earth but the sun and the moon as well. This will be a short retelling, a summary of the creation myth, somewhat like I did with Hermod's ride to Hel.

Keep Reading...Show less
Old school ghetto blaster sat on the floor
8tracks radio

We all scroll through the radio stations in the car every once in a while, whether its because we lost signal to our favorite one or we are just bored with the same ol' songs every day. You know when you're going through and you hear a song where you're just like "I forgot this existed!" and before you know it, you're singing every word? Yeah, me too. Like, 95% of the time. If you're like me and LOVE some good throwback music, here's a list of songs from every genre that have gotten lost in time, but never truly forgotten.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

27 Hidden Joys

Appreciation for some of life's most discredited pleasures.

38335
Best Things in Life

Life is full of many wonderful pleasures that many of us, like myself, often forget about. And it's important to recognize that even on bad days, good things still happen. Focusing on these positive aspects of our day-to-day lives can really change a person's perspective. So in thinking about the little things that make so many of us happy, I've here's a list of some of the best things that often go unrecognized and deserve more appreciation:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments