I am the eldest child in my family. Both of my parents are both the oldest children in their families. It definitely has helped to make me a more independent person. I think the other eldest kids out there know there are some things that we do that our siblings didn’t have at first. They have become a staple in our lives.
1. The Rules
So you want to go out to a party? You better be back by 10 PM on the dot. Okay let’s be real. I wasn’t cool enough for parties in high school. But if I was cool enough, curfews would definitely be a thing that I would have to deal with. I had them for about the first five months when I started dating. Rules were a thing that were there for a reason and they better not be broken. Sneaking out? I never would have done it.
2. The Chores
Ever heard of a husbands Honey- Do-list? I have a Katelyn Do-List I will do when I am on breaks and find a list of this to do. Chores are never ending. Laundry is never ending, as are dishes. I learned to fold laundry really fast as a kid. My sister still can’t fold a shirt. Tsk tsk.
3. Money
This is one people with multiple siblings will understand more than others. After a certain point in your life you parents stop paying for things for you. If you want it you better go save up your cash and work for it. No spoiling for the eldest. Babysitting became my staple Friday night for quite a few years. Five dollars an hour to play was a pretty good deal when you couldn’t get any other work. Now it’s a bit better, now you can pull the “I will pay half if you pay half” card.
4. Taxes? FAFSA? College Aplications?
The unknown terror and hair ripping frustration that lie in these forms is unreal. I am still so confused by them. There are so many boxes to fill out so easily done wrong. So important to get done. But don’t worry by the time your siblings need to fill it all out your parents will be pros.
5. School
For me math in high school sucked. There were many days I sat at the kitchen table struggling on how to get through 20 math questions. It was a continuous struggle of doing my math and fighting with my parents because how they were taught was not how I was, so it was wrong. Sorry guys. I don’t think this one gets much better unless your parent is a teacher. Education is changing too much.
6. Scheduling
When you are the oldest you get really good at memorizing schedules or at least keeping track of whether or not you will have a ride home. Making calendars are a breeze. Color coded calendars became my best friend and my agenda as a best friend called it our “Bibles.” Maybe I am just weird.
7. Cooking
Walking in the door and the rest of your family is walking back out the door; yeah that is pretty nervous. Pasta and other easy to make foods become you best friend on these fend for yourself nights.
