I don't talk about my siblings much, so people are often shocked to find out I have five of them. Growing up in a big family, you learn a lot, especially when you are the youngest. I could make a list 20 miles long, but for the sake of everyone's sanity, here are 5 things you learn when you grow up with 5 siblings.
1. If you don't eat it now, someone will eat it for you
There is a short window between the time the food is ready and when the food is gone. So, if you wanna eat you better eat fast because leftovers are almost never guaranteed. Oh, and if you do put leftovers in the fridge to eat later, don't expect them to be there when you're ready for them. One time, my brother kept eating all my donuts, so I hide the last one in one of the cabinets. No regrets.
2. Wake up early if you plan on using the bathroom for anything
2 bathrooms, 6 kids. Sounds like a recipe for a disaster. There is an absolute 0% chance of the bathroom being available if you are the last one to wake up. Also, never, I repeat NEVER, try to use the bathroom after taco night, because with two brothers those bathrooms might as well be Chernobyl.
3. If you are the youngest, someone will always be abusing their power with you
Whether it's making you do things for them, tickling and "play fighting" with you, or using you as their scapegoat, you will always be a victim of authority. However, if you're smart like me, you grow up and learn how to use it against them.
Here is a tip: Listen. Gather intel. And right when your sibling is going to abuse their superiority, drop a truth bomb on your parents about all the wrong that sibling has done.
4. There is no such thing as alone time
Growing up with 5 siblings, you don't get a room to yourself until at least half of them have moved out. So, by default, not even your room is a safe place to be alone. Someone is always there, listening, watching, it's kind of creepy if you think about it.
5. When something goes wrong, there is always an entire army behind you to help make it right
You don't want to mess with anyone in my family. We are all crazy protective and don't do well with other people overstepping their boundaries. Anytime someone tries to do me dirty all I can say is "I got a brother in the Army, a brother who's a cop, a retired air force step-dad who's a lawyer, and a crazy momma with even crazier sisters... COME AT ME BRO."
So, long story short, growing up with 5 siblings you learn that your family can be your worst enemy, but also your greatest protectors. Most days, I wouldn't trade my 5 siblings for 5,000 dollars.. maybe 6,000, but not 5,000.
