Middle Child Syndrome. It’s a real thing. Trust me. If I had to define it, I would say it’s basically hell in a household. Having one older sister and one younger sister is the definition of a struggle. Your clothes seem to go missing everyday, you get screamed at for doing absolutely nothing, and you have two teenage girls arguing with you over everything. That’s the life of a middle child. But with that being said, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Being a sister is more than taking cute selfies and borrowing each other’s clothes. From what I have learned, being a sister is being the one person that she can count on to keep secrets from your mom, pick her up when she’s at a party and doesn't want the parent lecture, and being able to fight one second and then jam out to "High School Musical" the next. That is what being an older sister is. Always having your little sister’s back and making sure no one and nothing hurts her. Being a younger sister is a little bit different.
It’s hard to follow in the footsteps of someone else. Especially if that someone else got good grades and stayed out of trouble (for the most part). Forging your own path is hard enough as it is, but add in teachers saying, “Oh, your (inset name)'s sister? She was a great student." At that point you're honestly screwed. Your older sister is someone you look up to. Someone who shows you how to act in tough situations and how to handle the different problems you face in your life. And as the younger sister, it’s just a natural feeling to look up to your older sister and want to be exactly like her.
So how does being a younger sister and an older sister affect you? It makes you a better person. You are constantly learning and adjusting without even knowing it. You see something your older sister does that you don't like? You make sure you don't do it and then your younger sister learns from that. You see something your younger sister does that you don't like? The same thing happens. You’re continuously growing and developing into a strong person, and along the way you're becoming the staple in the family that both of your sister’s need.
Being a middle child has taught me that sometimes, no matter where you fall in the family tree, someone just needs to step up and put the pieces back together. My sister’s have allowed me to discover new things about myself and grow from those new discoveries. Having one sister changes your life because of the impact she makes on you and the bond you two share. But having two sisters is a unique and special gift, and you will never find a stronger friendship.
