I'm a 19 year old college student who has 3 younger siblings, all 3 being at least 10 years or more in difference to me. I have an (almost) 10 year old full sister named Gabby, a (newly) 4 year old half brother named Dylan, and lastly a 1.5 year old half sister named Marvell (yes, like the comics but with an extra "l").

My parents were married rather young, around my current age, but my dad remarried, and for the longest time I thought I'd be an only child. All this seems normal & reasonable with my situation in life; but God would only know what kind of things I, and many other like this, have to deal with and have learned. It's not as more offensive, as there's plenty worse in life than being accused of being too young.

With collective community talk and experience, here are 11 encounters siblings like me may have experienced in their lifetime with those little ones.

1. We’ve been accused and wrongly assumed as your parent

Abby Perez

As I've remarked on, us oldie siblings probably all have been called a parent by mistake (and for parent reference, that cute woman in the middle is our mom). Okay, but for example: I once was flying with my then 3 year old sister Gabby (meaning I was about 13 years old) and the flight attendant thought I was my sisters mom... AT 13. I've always looked young so I found this even harder to believe. She then apologized when I explained, she just remarked I did just seem like a teen mom, maybe 16, due to my independence. It was a weird, “almost" compliment and I still use the story 'til 13.

2. We are the leftover disposal.

​Abby Perez

​Honestly, as growing up an only child for about 10 years, I ate ALOT—so much to the fact that I liked to clean up my parents' and family members' plates. I was a vulture, but my siblings aren't the same! Maybe it's because of the herd mentality that off one sibling is picky, so is the other. Anyway, I've actually come to a point that when I take them out to eat, I order small so I can eat their scraps. We're not packing you're bits of veggies and good soup but we aren't wasting either!

3. We also have lots of snacks, amongst other things in our purses/bags/backpacks/etc.

Abby Perez

​Like I said, these kids don’t finish their food. What does that mean? THEY’LL GET HUNGRY. I naturally now keep extra snacks, along side other now necessities like an mini emergency kits for little scrape-ups, wipes and tissues for spills, and much more, you name it. I keep most of these things on me constantly most of the time, even in school...no wonder people think I’m quite the “mom personality”.

4. You’re typically the parent of any friend group.

​Abby Perez

​You guys want to go to Chuck E. Cheese to throwback? I have an extra tickets unused and a token card with extra credits (yeah, they changed the process—weird!) You guys need access to the local YMCA or park district? I’ve got y’all, I take my siblings to come here all the time. You need anything extra, water, food, hat, you name it? I got it for y’all! Do we all feel okay, anyone hungry? If you built a case on how i’m actually a mom, here is your evidence. I plead guilty.

5. When I take the younger sibling/kids out, I’ve cared less about my appearance...and I’m ok with that.

​Abby Perez

​When I take these little kids to the park or somewhere around the neighborhood, I honestly look like I rolled out of bed but had the decency to brush my teeth and hair. No hate, it’s comfy and I actually discover my comfort within myself. It also makes when I put makeup on more worth it.

6. Combining our generations is very heart warming in all honesty if you think about it.

Abby Perez

​My point in this is referring to how we see the values of what we’ve learned and how we implement them in our next generation; with being like a parent to them, we see how our generations will change over time which isn’t so cool. But also the amazing Snapchat selfies together, they’re just so cute!

7. Going back to food, when I go out I (sometimes) bring them snacks/treats because you know they’ll ask...or just love them.

Abby Perez​

And it just lights up their day! That is before they get distracted like 10 minutes later.

8. You actually want to go out and hang out & take them places.

​Abby Perez

​Whether with their friends, your friends, or neither, you want to enjoy life...with them.

9. You “parent” them to do all the things your parents/guardians did to you.

Abby Perez

With all the nagging on chores, helping them with homework, instructing them when they’re unsure, and even suggesting they get starbucks with me (wink wink). Just kidding! But I will say, they follow me like someone they admire, which I couldn’t be more thankful for.

10. Being like a side parent is actually enjoyable now.

Abby Perez

​I really do take pride in being that back-up parent or go-to guardian. With all the rough days, long days, tired eyes, frustration, and all the endless yelling, I am so thankful for the lessons of responsibility they’ve taught me.

11. And it pains me being away from them, not being able to watch them grow up/not growing up with them.

​Abby Perez

But I hope they know they can always depend on me...even when they’re adults and I’m a full blown elder.