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.
