Being the youngest (and in my case, the only girl) has its perks. It's been said that the oldest gets treated harder because the new parents are learning with the kid. By the last child, the parents are more or less accustomed to everything and have a better idea of how to raise a child. This can mean that the last child is usually spoiled and the parents are more lenient but this isn't life 24/7. While being the baby has its advantages, it definitely has its down sides
Pro #1: Body Guards
While everyone in my family would stick up for each other regardless of birth order, I have found that being the youngest and only girl, I was born with so many body guards. The majority of my family are boys (cousins and brothers) and I know that if someone messes with me and they hear about it, it's going down.
I just have to say the word and the problem will be dealt with. They also want to make sure I'm not dealing with anyone that's not worth my time. My parents and brothers have spoiled me with their unconditional love and in general. Even if we had rough times, I was always reminded of how beautiful I was, that I was a princess, and I deserved the best. The following is a post I found on social media and it's so true:
Having two older brothers who have strong personalities really helped me open my eyes. Their opinions matter to me and if they felt like someone wasn't at my level, they'd let me know. I like how protective my brothers are towards me, whether they express it or not.
Pro #2: I can almost get away with murder
Like mentioned above, parents are usually more lenient with the youngest child. While I still have a curfew and have to ask for permission to go out, my parents have gotten open-minded about it as I started getting older. My oldest brother used to say how he rarely ever got to go out like I did. I have to admit that I used to come late and when I did my mom would "threaten" me about never leaving again but I eventually got to do it all over again. I can't imagine how much trouble my oldest brother would have been if he tried most of the things I've done.
Con #1: Being told "no" because of my age
Being young comes back to bite you when your parents say no to what seems like a great/fun idea for you. Their reasoning for it? "You're too young" or they even if they just say "no" end of conversation, it's 99% because I'm the youngest and the only girl. My second oldest brother has always gotten away with everything but I just had my first real sleepover within the past year out of my almost 20 years of life.
Sometimes I thank my parents for not being so easy with me and when I wanted to go out because I could have gotten in trouble but it really sucked being the only one not there because of how overprotective my parents were. Unless my brother went with me (and he never wanted to), it was a complete "no" from my parents. I can relate to Bianca Stratford, in "10 Things I Hate About You", and her struggles with her overprotective father.
Con #2: Sometimes you feel like Rapunzel, and it gets old.
Having people be protective of you is amazing. It feels so nice knowing there are people looking after you and wanting the best but with being the youngest comes the completely cover of protection. I understand how parents only want the best but I remember a time when it was suffocating and I couldn't make my own choices. There have been times when I felt exactly like a princess locked in her tower.
I'm learning over time that mistakes are inevitable but growing up, it was as if I wasn't allowed to make my own. Sometimes I feel like missing out on some things in my life has left me without experience. I feel as if I could have learned from socializing more and I wasn't allowed to hang out or go places as often as others have because of how over protective my parents were. I love them and appreciate all their love, don't get me wrong, I just wish I wasn't so deprived.
Being the youngest child and the only girl can be a hell of a mix depending on how you look at it. Things either go in your favor or they're squashed which is probably why the youngest child is usually the most spoiled. I have a love/hate relationship with it and there's really no in between no matter how you look at it.
