Three years, that’s how far apart my sister and I are. This might not seem like a lot, but my goodness did those three years affect our treatment. Now that I am 20 years old, I appreciate being the older child because I learned a lot. I am definitely more responsible, independent, overly cautious and yes, an over achiever. I mean who else would my parents show off?
However, there are certain things that us older children have to do deal with, that are just unfair.
1. First off, we were the test child and know it because, well they have said it.
2. Being the oldest means you are always responsible when things go wrong, even if it wasn’t your fault. You could have been out of the house and still will be blamed.
3. We are expected to be practically perfect like a walking billboard for “child of the year.”
4. We had way stricter rules as far as curfews and how much time we spent with friends were concerned.
5. How about the fact that every time you lost a tooth or it was Christmas I had to keep shut about the truth of Santa and the Tooth Fairy!
6. Oh, you want to stay out to stay out until 11 p.m.? Sure that’s fine even though you are 13 years old. When I was 13, I had a bed time of 10 p.m. But you do you.
7. When your parents leave the house you are inadvertently in charge, but God forbid you tell your younger sibling to wash the dishes or something, because now you are just bossy and get yelled at about how you are NOT their parent.
8. Talking back? Why that’s hilarious if you’re the younger child, but if you are the older one you better expect to be grounded.
9. We are always expected to be responsible, because the younger siblings “don’t know any better” … But they are 16 years old! I think by this age they should know better!
10. We are also personal tutors, because I clearly remember algebra from five years ago…
11. Not to mention, we are always the first choice (FREE) babysitter, cheapo.
12. Also, I’m pretty sure my younger sibling could get away with murder.
13. Let's not get into the fact that they always made fun of your outfit or school club choices when they were younger but now want to be just like you. That’s cool, weren’t you just calling me lame a couple of years ago for that, though?
14. Suddenly they move up from middle school to high school, go to prom and every other major event that feels like just happened to you. Can time just stop for a little bit please?
15. Finally, you realize that when your parents dressed you in matching outfits for the Holiday card, those were the good days and now you are all growing up.
