Being the firstborn, middle child or the youngest in the family comes with its own unique challenges. The firstborn thinks they are saddled with too much responsibility. The youngest kid feels that older kids tend to bully/ overrule them, whereas the middle kids feel as though they don’t even matter! So when someone on Twitter said that being the firstborn meant that they felt like a third parent, a lot of people agreed and expressed solidarity.
The first born is supposed to be responsible, behave properly, lead by example and so on… rather like a parent.
It starts early – as a female one is expected to do the caregiving, household chores, cooking and cleaning – disproportionately more than their male siblings. If the female child is the eldest, this is even more so feels this commentator.
In single-parent homes, the oldest kids sometimes take on the mantle of the second parent.
The only parent.
This is a story seen to unfold in numerous homes across the world.
The eldest child is expected to be emotionally mature and act as a negotiator between parents and younger kids.
A lot of people agreed – the struggle is real.
Older kids are bigger and therefore saddled with more chores. They are also expected to have more stamina, abilities and maturity. Some parents tend to forget that older kids are kids too.
For some the experience of being the oldest kid is so difficult that they decide they’ve had enough experience of ‘parenting’ and skip parenthood altogether.
Not only is this person the oldest child, but also the oldest grandchild on both sides.
One can become a 'parent' really early in life.
Punishments and curfews are sometimes the reality for older kids but by the time it is the turn of the younger kids, parents tend to see the error of their ways. The younger kids have the benefit of their parents' hindsight.
…Older siblings are great!
This guy seems to have a lot of resentment. Maybe it isn't that bad?
While a lot of firstborns were sharing thoughts and stories of their strife and difficulties, someone shared this – clearly the kid of the family.
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