Growing up as the oldest can be frustrating. More is definitely expected of you. You are the first child to be expected to make good grades. This means extra attention is given because you are your parents' first go at parenting. So when you do poorly on something, the hammer tends to be put down on you. You are the first child to experiment with social things, usually. So when you get that first date with that boy you have been crushing on, your parents make a HUGE deal about it. They want to know literally every single little detail. This also means you are the first to get the talk. You will surely get this but by the time your sibling gets to this point, you parents might skip over and hope for you to give your little sibling the run around. Oldest kids have way more responsibilities than younger kids. Who is going to start babysitting the younger siblings while the parents are at work? Well you of course!
Don't expect pay because you won't get any. That is your duty as the older one. You are the first to get driving lessons. Your parents will surely critique you on honestly everything. But hey at least you will be a better driver than your sibs! You are the first to go through the dreaded conversation of, "what are you doing after you graduate high school?" Since you are the oldest you will surely be expected to do something great! You will also be the first to leave the nest! Welcome to adulthood! However this can be nice because now you no longer need to listen to your parents long list of chores and lessons. I bet your little siblings will be jealous now! Being the older sibling has its share of perks too. You get to be a role model to the younger kids, at least for a little. I remember when my sister adored me and looked up to everything I did.
However, she does not share these feelings anymore because that's just kind of what happens. Your younger sibling will confide in you. You are the one they come to when the parents just don't get it. They will look at your for help and guidance because you have already experienced all of this. So don't get me wrong, being the oldest child is not the worse thing in the world. Just think, you were the first joy to the family. You were loved so much because before you, it was just the two of them. Then, it became the three of you and they could not be happier. So when you are fighting with them, just try and think of that. Yes they are harder on you but you hold a special place in their hearts. Now go be the best you can be for them!
