Being the oldest of your siblings comes with a lot of responsibilities that you are probably not even aware of. I have six younger siblings and it's a little crazy, but I love them all with my whole heart. I'm sure there has been times where I wished I was the youngest, to be more spoiled, or get more attention, but the oldest has a certain pride that goes along with it. I am happy to be the oldest and I am grateful to have so many wonderful siblings, I wouldn't change that for the world.

Here are some things to be reminded as the oldest sibling:

1. You're the oldest so right off the bat you're the path maker, the person they look up too, and the role model... whether you want to be one or not. Do your best to be a good example.

2. You're the babysitter, and your probably not paid. If you are getting paid, BOOOO. Countless times I have watched my siblings! Date nights for my parents, snow days when my parents still had work, when school was out during the summer. When they needed someone, the oldest was there.

3. Your clothes were hand-me-downs to your siblings regardless of gender. Plenty of times my parents have dressed us up in all sorts of night time PJ's! Firetruck footsies for a girl? YES. And when you're older, your siblings really want that nice pink sweatshirt you love, but you sacrifice and hand it over eventually, all for love and maybe because they would complain.

4. Being the oldest also means you're probably going to have the most rules set for you. Your parents are more strict and give out a certain curfew, but then you notice a couple years later that your little siblings aren't getting the same treatment. Oh well, you're the first! Your parents are learning too.

5. Watching my siblings grow up and be teenagers/ adults has been one of the more rewarding things that I have ever been through. Seeing their first hockey game, to watching them in their first game of the season in high school, to watching their last high school game, and starting that cycle over again for the next one is unreal. My siblings are all no unique and different, every one of them has something really special about them and it's awesome to see them grow up and see them use there potential. I love being the oldest and I can't wait to see them all as adults.