Some days, you'll wonder why you couldn't have been an only child. Other days, though, you'll be able to appreciate the true value of having a sibling--yet another person in this world who has to love you no matter what. No matter what day it is, I think we can all agree that it is better to be the younger sibling. Whether you have 10 siblings or only one, there are certain perks to being the youngest.
1.Your older sibling paves the way by being the first to try things your parents wouldn’t allow.
Whether it’s getting a tattoo or getting a nose piercing, your older sibling is bound to do something that your parents aren’t totally OK with. So you let them take the screaming or the “we’re so disappointed” lecture, and it won’t be as bad when you make the same “mistake” because your parents will have warmed up to the idea at least a little.
2.When you’re younger, your parents give you the benefit of the doubt because you’re the “baby.”
We’ve all been there. You slap your sib and then apologize profusely when they go to tell on you. It’s nearly impossible for your parents to tell who instigated most of these fights, so they give the younger sibling the benefit of the doubt since they are smaller and more innocent looking.
3.You have a built-in role model for life, and you can learn from their mistakes.
You can count on your older sib to teach you what to do and what not to do in life. At times, you use them as a role model and look up to them. At other times, their mistakes can teach you what to do differently and save you from having to make the same ones. Either way, you’ve got someone that you can call or text at any hour of the day or night when you need advice – and you know their advice will be straight up.
4.Your older sibling(s) are the “guinea pigs” for everything – parenting, milestones, etc.
Anyone who is the younger sibling knows that this commercial is SPOT ON. Sure, there may be fewer pictures of you than of your older sib because your parents didn’t feel the need to take as many of you (the novelty of having a baby wore off a bit). But, fortunately, you’re probably not the baby they dropped on its head. By the time you came around, your parents were pros at the whole parenting thing. And they weren’t as neurotic about every detail, so you had more freedom growing up.
5.Your older sibling(s) make a name for you.
Now, this one could totally go either way. If your older sib is friendly and well-liked, people will assume that you are too. However, if they are mean or if they simply don’t stand out at all, you will have to work harder to make a name for yourself. As you grow up, the two of you will become more independent and true to yourself. People will realize that you are your own person and should only be judged on your own merits, but your sibling’s reputation will be your reputation for most of grade school, at least. Oh and also, your teacher will probably call you by your sibling’s name more than half of the time.
