If you had siblings, and as many as I do, you learned how to share from day one. "Your" toy was not just yours, it was your little brother's, older sister's, or older brother’s and it was passed around the house day after day if not hour after hour. Your wardrobe was a mix of new and hand-me-downs from your older siblings.
One thing I feel that shaped me into who I am is growing up with not 1, not 2 or 3, but 4 siblings. Growing up, every day in my house was always eventful whether it was deciding what we were all going to do or if anyone would even be home. I luckily got the best of both worlds by having both brothers and a sister. Not only did I have my worst enemies in my house (depending on the day) but also my best friends.
When we were younger, it was always a struggle fighting over who got to sit in the middle row of the car, and who was watching the TV in the den. As we got older it became an argument on who gets to use the car and for how long you’re allowed to use it, because someone else always needed it.
I've never regretted having a big family. Sometimes everyone getting together gets crazy having all of us in the same room, but the downsides have never outweighed the upsides of my crazy brothers and sister.
One of the best things about having four siblings is that there will always be a lot going on. There is never a worry that we can’t get enough people for a game, or that no one will have an opinion on what to do. More importantly, though, is the mixture of personalities which make for hysterical conversations; honestly, a lot of laughter in my life comes from stupid or comical things my brothers and sister have said.
In my case, I’m both a younger sibling and an older sibling. I feel like that is the best part of my life because I get to be the role model and have 3 role models to look up to. Beyond all activities, I appreciate how well we all work together. We like each other, we hate each other, but most importantly, we love each other.
For those of you like me who have multiple siblings, don’t forget how lucky you are to have the extra love and laughter in your family.
