What's it liked being the oldest—but not

I used to wish I was an only child.

Yep, I threw a tantrum when my mom told me I was having a younger sister. Talk about someone who wanted all the attention for herself.

But I quickly realized the beauty of having siblings. No matter how many arguments we have and how much bickering we do, they are my best friends and I’m the only one who gets to pick on them.

I should inform you that I am the oldest…but not.

This may be confusing, but the short explanation is that I have an older half-sister. Kirsten and I have the same dad, but I’m my mom’s firstborn. I got lucky—I got to experience growing up as being the oldest sometimes, yet also having that older sibling role model.

Sometimes being the oldest can be the best, but it can surely be frustrating.

It’s funny to think back on memories.

1. Copycat.

No matter how much you tell your little sister not to, she will wear the same clothes, buy the same toys and do everything you do. I used to get so frustrated and thought my sister would do this on purpose because she knew that it would make me stomp out of the room. I recently realized it’s quite the opposite. Because you’re the first one, your younger siblings look up to you and want to be like you. I wish I had realized that sooner.

2. Your younger brother will get an iPhone as his first phone.

I will never forget the day that I FINALLY convinced my parents that I was old enough to get my first phone. I had just turned 12 and I remember being so excited because I was getting a phone for my birthday. Not just any phone, but one of the cool ones that had a sliding keyboard. I treasured that device with all I had. Turns out, that my brother didn’t have to do much convincing when he turned 10. Hey, sometimes you’re the guinea pig and that’s part of being the oldest. You get used to this.

3. “You’re older, you should know better.”

Oooof, I’ve heard this phrase one too many times. It’s all true. Stricter and more pressure. It’s almost as if there’s this expectation that you have it all together and so that you can be the role model and act like you know what you’re doing…when let’s be honest you have no idea. No matter what the argument was about, it’s always your fault. I laugh saying this now, but it wasn’t as funny back when I was the one that was getting scolded because I should have known better.

4. Getting your license isn’t as exciting as you thought…

It’s all fun and games until your parents ask you to drive your little brother to his basketball practice, oh and also pick him up. I do have to say I don’t blame them, they’re always running around taking us to all sports practices left and right…but then when it’s your turn it feels like you’re a taxi. I’ll assure you that I never understood when my mom would say, “Lena I’m not a chauffeur, you do know that?!” As soon as I got my license, I learned to appreciate some things that hadn’t been so clear to me. Funny how that goes. Right, mom?

5. That front seat is mine.

Being the oldest does have its perks. My parents have this rule that whoever is the oldest child, they get the front seat. We all know what that means… you get to control the aux and you have more legroom. This only backfires when my older sister visits because then I have to sit in the back with the other two.

While I say all of this about being the oldest, I can’t forget to thank my older sister. Although we haven’t always lived together, she has allowed me to understand what it’s like to have someone who looks after you. An older sibling will always be there for you.

Thank you for being someone I look up to.

Thank you for allowing me to borrow your clothes (I know it’s annoying).

Thank you for always giving me wisdom and having my back.

You don’t get to choose your siblings, but let me tell you mine are my best friends and I’d do anything for them.