Ever get discouraged about carpooling your siblings around? Don't worry, here's some words to sooth your soul. Here are five reasons which prove that being the oldest child is the best:
1. You make the rules.
Being the oldest child means that you get to help make the rules for your other siblings. This may not be the literal sense, but even though you don't sit down with your parents and come up with the rules, you are still the one that gets to have freedom before they crack down. Whatever you do, whether it's a lot of good behavior or not, can shape the way the younger siblings will grow up.
2. You get to experience everything first.
Typically, the oldest child is the one that gets to do everything first. You experience high school, get your first car, go on your first date, all before your other siblings. This makes you the one with all the knowledge and how-to when it comes time for the younger siblings to give it a try. Although you may see it as burdensome to take your siblings everywhere as the taxi cab, it's rewarding knowing that you were the one to first get there.
3. Your early years get written down, recorded, and remembered.
It seems that often the oldest child is the one with the biggest scrapbook. And why is that? Parents have more time to record events when there is only one child to take care of. You get to hear about your first words, when and where your first steps were, as well as other significant events that took place. After a few children, it can get foggy and may not be remembered as much. If anyone remembers things the younger sibling did, it's going to be you because you can remember those events. But as the oldest child, you get the first hand experience from your parents.
4. INHERITANCE!!!
We aren't in the dark ages anymore, and the bulk of wealth no longer goes to the oldest male. Now, it's pretty traditional that the oldest child gets first pick of what they inherit. That in of itself is a sweet perk, because you might get to inherit all of the things you want before someone else does. This may stir some debate, but really, what other way is there? If they have to decide who gets first pick, it's only logical it's the oldest child.
5. You get to be the parent sometimes.
What's the cheapest babysitter? Your oldest kid, of course! It's the best way for them to go out for a night, but it's also the best way for you take control for a few hours. It's a win-win situation for the both of you. For those times you're in charge, you get to really be the boss and decided what holds and what doesn't. It's sort of like being king for a day, and it feels so good!
