It's not exactly uncommon to have a sibling way older or younger than you, but those of us who do, experienced a different kind of childhood, and adulthood hasn't been much different.
1. You are at different phases in your life.
There is an 11-year age gap between my eldest brother and I. When he was graduating high school, I was in elementary school. I think we are a prime example. It's not a bad thing, though! You get to have an older sibling who has been through it all closer to your age than your parents, and I'd like to think us younger siblings help them stay young.
2. You experienced different parenting styles.
When I came around, my mom and dad had the parenting things down after 11 years. It's funny hearing stories from our childhoods and seeing how different life was for us in a sense. Of course, it's always said that the youngest experiences less strict parenting.
3. Strangers look at you both like your parent and child, not siblings.
Maybe less now since we're all adults, but my goodness, his college years and my elementary and middle School years. Ugh, yeah, I saw those stares, people.
4. People think you're step siblings, half siblings or one of you was an accident.
Oh, and they are not afraid to bluntly ask the last one. So be it if any of the above is true, but yes, people, it's possible for two parents to just chill out for a little bit before expanding the family some more and also life gets in the way sometimes.
5. You both experienced two different decades growing up and fighting over which decade was better.
My brother grew up in the '80s, and me and my other brother grew up in the '90s. Nineties cartoons were so much better, and our toys were so much cooler, but of course, my brother has fonder memories during the '80s.
6. The younger ones aren't sheltered.
My brother was a built-in babysitter, and when you have a teenager in the house with two little kids, it's kind of hard to make sure we stay completely young and innocent. I knew who Eminem, The Offspring and Three Days Grace were way before I should have. I also loved watching MTV before I should have, but what can you do.
7. The younger ones experience some life events at earlier ages.
I watched my brother graduate high school when I was 8, college when I was 13, I got a sister-in-law when I was 15 and became an aunt at 17, and he's just waiting for me and the other one to get a move on it.
8. You still fight like you're only a year apart.
If you think siblings with large age gaps don't fight, you are strongly mistaken. We are all full grown adults and still tackle each other. It's like my brother had 11 years of waiting pent up inside of him.
9. You wouldn't have it any other way.
Do I wonder what life would have been like if my brother was closer to me in age? Yeah, of course, but I love the relationship we have because of our age gap, and I wouldn't have gotten to experience all that I have or have the memories I have without that age gap.
So, don't pity those with large ages gaps between their sibling and them. It's made life different and fun, and I can't wait to see what else is in store.
