Being the oldest of six, I was treated much differently than my younger family members. Everything was scrutinized and criticized. Times were tough, to say the least. It was commonly known that it was on me to be the best even if I really didn't feel particularly inclined to be the "good example" that day.

There were benefits to being the oldest, don't get me wrong. I was first in line for Christmas presents, and it was always so shocking to everyone how old I had gotten. I was like a family mile marker. "Oh wow, you are in first grade? They grow up so fast." Those were about two of the big perks.

Everything else was kind of downhill. Well, most of it...

1. The babysitter

If mom wanted to take a nap, it was my job to make sure that nobody got into trouble, and if they did, to fix it. Being older, it was on me if they did wrong. I am the oldest, after all.

2. Expected to be super mature

Be mature. Be a leader. That was my role. While they got to frolic in the field, I got stuck with the dishes and everyone’s laundry.

3. My parents were so much stricter with me than my siblings

My siblings were having relationships in elementary school. At that age, I wasn’t even allowed to go to school. I was forced to be homeschooled. School was seen as "the devil's playground" to my parents. I had to wait until I was 12 to get my ears pierced... my little sister was 8. I’m a real trailblazer. I’m the oldest, after all.

4. I’m supposed to accept being treated differently

Even my grandmother said, "the oldest, usually, gets the short end of the stick, and that’s just life." I call it unfair, but life’s unfair. At least, that's what I am repeatedly told. If I hear about my place in the family lineage and how it’s an excuse to be treated poorly one more time I may have to see my therapist more than once a week. It’s a problem. I’m the oldest, after all.

5. Bonus baby

At the end of the day, I know its just because they have the highest expectations for me and expect less out of my siblings. Maybe that's a little satisfaction out of all the responsibility. Maybe.