To my fellow first-born siblings,
It can be agreed that we, first-born siblings have lots of perks. Being the oldest, first-born sibling is not only an important title, but can, at times, be a difficult one to bear. As the older sibling, we wanted (and acted) like a parent, a friend, and a mentor.
Yes, there are several perks being the oldest sibling. I never had to get hand-me-downs clothes or shoes, I got my own bedroom (until I had to share), and was spoiled in the beginning because, well, I was my parent's first child. It was the excitement of having a child, and being the first child that I had an extravagant birthday or awesome toys.
However, being the first-born sibling was not always easy. From an early age, I realized the responsibility and example that I had to be for my brother and sister. At the age of 10 I was changing my newborn sister's diapers, feeding her milk bottles, carrying her and cradling her until she fell asleep. I had to reprimand my younger brother when he played roughly with her, trying to get him to understand that a baby is just as delicate as a porcelain doll.
From grade school to high school, I always excelled in making high marks in class. I studied hard, joined clubs, and had a social life. My grades set a standard in my parent's eyes, for my siblings, which of course I prided myself on. But when it came to going to the movies or going out with friends, my parents were very strict. It wasn't until my junior year of high school that I was allowed to go out by myself with friends on the weekdays/weekends. My siblings? They could have friends over all the time, or go out if they had a ride and could be home at a decent hour. Of course my parents started to relax after child number three, but little 16 year old me thought it was so unfair that they could have such freedom when I was jailed at home at their age.
However, I still feel the amount of love and respect I get from my parents and my younger siblings. I hear the happiness in my parent's voices when they told my other family members of when I graduated high school with honors, and got into a good college. I also feel appreciated when my younger sister comes home with a good grade after helping her with studying for a test or helping her understand homework. Or most of all, my brother who is two years younger than me, attending college. The pride and emotion I have that he, after all the struggles he's been through, can finally find himself as an own person. Being the oldest sibling has taught me that I don't know everything. That everyday I learn something new and valuable from my younger siblings, from my family and my friends. The connotation of being the oldest can denote a lot of pressure and expectation, but I've learned to lean on my family, and especially my siblings, to relieve those burdens. So to my fellow first-born friends, hang in there. Know that you don't always have to be perfect, and know that there will always be people who will love and support you through any trial and tribulations along the way in the journey achieving your own personal success.
