Having older siblings is one of the best and most incredible blessings a person can have.
Speaking from experience, having two siblings to look up to is amazing. However, there are downsides to being the baby (contrary to what some assume).
When you have older siblings, you have an expectation to live up to. Although it may not be directly communicated, there is a level of comparison no matter what you're doing in life. This includes academics, social life, relationships, and the career field.
When dealing with academics, whether your siblings above you did well in school or poorly in school, you will be expected to either the same or do better. Your siblings make Dean's List, you have the expectation of making Dean's List. They graduated with honors? The next thing you know, you're enrolling in honors classes. They failed a course? You're expected to get higher grades.
When it comes to social life, you are compared to how many friends your siblings had or how involved they were in social activities. If your siblings were involved in community services, you are expected to find a place to volunteer at. If they went out with a certain group of friends, you needed to have a group of friends, too. If they hung out with the wrong crowd, you were expected have a better group of friends.
In relationships, your siblings set the bar for who to date and who not to date. If they brought home an amazing person, then you are expected to bring home someone even better (bonus points for being the baby - everyone is protective). If they brought home a terrible person, it's your turn to show the family what a real partner should be like.
When it comes to a career path, if your siblings know what they want to do, then you're expected to know as well. If they get into the field quickly, you're held to the standard of getting a job early on. If they don't know what they want to do and don't try to break into that field, your parents look at you to start off on finding your calling as soon as you can.
Living in your siblings' shadows is not always a bad thing. When you have older siblings, you have an example to look up to when things get tough. You have life advice from someone who's been through it before you. You have a person that will give you their help because they know what it's like.
When you're given older siblings, you're given examples, friends, mentors, and helpers. Although there may be big shoes to fill, remember that those shoes have walked the road you're on before you.
