If you grew up in a family with other siblings, there were definitely some roles that each child assumed. The oldest is usually the "trailblazer," the middle is known to be the "overlooked," but what about the youngest? While birth order stereotypes can sometimes be a bit extreme, there is some validity about the youngest sibling syndrome.
1. You will always be known as the "baby" of the family.
It doesn't matter how old you are, if you're 5, 15, 25 or older, you will always be the baby. Phrases you hear most commonly are, "Awe, the baby of the fam!" "My baby's growing up." "You will never be too old to be my baby." It's endearing, and borderline annoying.
2. Your older siblings were akin to Gods.
When you grew up, you wanted to be your older siblings. You learned to mimic their eating habits, their fashion taste, their attitude, everything. And then you grew up and realized they weren't that special, but (let's be honest) your awe of them still exists.
3. You've gotten good at keeping up with the older kids.
Since you were always afraid of missing out on something amazing, you learned to keep up with the older kids. If you wanted to watch the Wiggles but your sisters wanted to watch Even Stevens, you better believe you watched Even Stevens.
4. But you do not rely on others for a good time.
Even though you tried your best to keep up, there were still times your older siblings left you in the dust. So you learned how to do what you wanted to do and still have a great time.
5. You value your alone time.
Since there were many times you had to entertain yourself, you've become pretty used to your alone time. You value it greatly. It is a necessity in your everyday lifestyle, something you need and crave it.
6. You're pretty good at wheedling out of rules.
It's not secret that parent's rules grow lax as they get tired of being parents. You've learned how to recognize when their will thins, and when is the most opportune time to pounce. Not that you're manipulative, just enterprising.
7. You can be pretty entitled
Life has many of times revolved around you, and you are used to it. You know what it feels like to get what you want on occasion, and who doesn't love that? There may be some validity to the "spoiled youngest child" stereotype, even though you'll never admit to it.
8. You knew how to rock the "hand-me-downs"
Whether it was a second hand skirt, backpack, jacket, or headband, you've been given it all! And you could rock the hand-me-down style with pride. Often you would watch your sibling buy a new dress and think "soon... soon you will be mine."
9. You've benefitted greatly from the previous wars your siblings had to fight.
The older ones had to fight for cell phone privileges, dating ages, when they could go to their first boy/girl party, etc.. They were the trailblazers, and you just sauntered casually in their afterglow. This may be considered lazy, but you think of it as resourceful.
10. You are used to feeling lonely.
You grew up with siblings constantly by your side, and then one day they are up and gone for college or real life. You had to learn to cope by yourself while you pine for their return.
11. You've had to grow up much faster.
When you wanted to play with Polly Pockets, your siblings had been-there-done-that and were on to something else. You had to keep up, and because of that, you lost a bit of your youth along the way. It was as if you were hurrying through your childhood so you could fit in. It wasn't until much later, when those days were long gone, did you realize you missed out on some juvenile experiences.
12. And because of that, you will always value a bit of childhood
You think back with regret upon the times when you rushed through your innocence, so now you don't mind pretending, even just for a little bit, that you are still that naïve. You're always up for a good Disney cartoon or the classic blanket fort.
13. You're pretty good at watching other people's successes/failures and learning from them.
You've seen it all; heartbreaks, college acceptances, failures, successes. You have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. It has helped you through a lot of sticky situations that you have emerged from unscathed thanks to watching someone else's floundering. Thank you, older siblings, for your epic failures. They have helped me greatly down the road.
14. You've learned to find your own unique personality
Even though when you were 7 you wanted to be an exact duplicate of your older sibling, you now have a pretty good idea of who you are, and you are proud of it. Did you steal some admiral qualities from others? Absolutely. But you have learned to grow into your own skin and be simply you.
