With great age comes great responsibility. Though “great age” may not exactly apply to a high school senior, the concept of sibling hierarchy revolves heavily around age. Older siblings play quite an important role in setting a good example, which often causes an overwhelming sense of pressure. However, being the eldest also has its many perks, and older siblings grow up with a greater sense of individuality and care than their potentially immature, spoiled counterparts — though, of course, I’m biased.
From personal experience with my sister, one of the most satisfactory aspects of being the eldest is the trust our parents have in us. Generally, we are more accountable. When I was my sister’s age, my parents gladly granted me permission to go out alone, to use the oven and stove even when unattended and to hang out late at night with friends. My sister is often told she is “too young” to be walking through the streets without parental supervision.
It is also quite an honor to have the privilege of being the first in line to get new things! I am first considered when purchasing new things, and I never receive hand-me-downs. Whether it’s a piece of technology or an article of clothing, I get to choose first. Being able to choose what you want builds a sense of individuality.
Of course, the role of an older sibling is not all fun and games. As the eldest, I am often tasked with more household chores, dog-related duties and cooking assignments, whereas my sister is exempt. Additionally, I am the designated role model for her. One wrong move or slip-up results in a barrage of lectures about how I should “know better,” as my parents worry about my influence on my sister.
A younger sister can also sometimes be like having a little pest attached to your side. Privacy is sometimes a mere dream when my sister is home as she enjoys tucking herself into my bed and refusing to leave. In some instances, she has yet to grow out of her “copycat” phase, drawing blatant inspiration from my fashion sense, my hobbies and even how I talk.
Siblings may evoke a wide range of emotions, but in the long run, they bring out the best in each other. Though our sibling rivalry is extremely real, my sister and I built a relationship grounded in care for one another. Love exceeds all, and we will never leave each other’s side. The term “built-in best friend” reigns true for the two of us, even if we bicker over who will be the first to wear the new sweater we purchased over the weekend.
The youngest sibling is usually the best-looking, the smartest and the rulebreaker. The first two are definitely true for all youngest siblings. The third one, not so much. Even if my sister makes a minor mistake, my parents become even more cautious about the things that I do. Even though there are so many more rules that I have to follow, I still believe being younger is much better. I receive all the help I could ever need, and I have a best friend for life.
As a younger sister, I basically have two closets. Of course I am the spoiled younger sibling, so I get to go shopping all the time. While I love shopping for my own clothes, I also enjoy receiving my sister’s stylish hand-me-downs. Whether I want to wear her outfit from last Monday or her favorite brown sweater, I can always find the outfit of my dreams in my sister’s closet. The pants might be a little too long or the shoes might be a bit too big, but that’s what safety pins and thick socks are for!
Another perk of being younger: my sister drives me everywhere. I can force her to take me to get food or just drive around for fun. If she doesn’t, I’ll just tell my mom! While having a personal chauffeur is nice, my favorite part is that I’m always on aux when she is driving. She is usually fine with my music, but when I’m feeling extra annoying, Taylor Swift is the way to go. She may say that younger siblings are bothersome, but we just have more fun.
Whenever I feel bored, my sister’s room is right around the corner. She is always there for me to talk to, and her bed is always there for me to jump on. Sometimes, I’ll talk endlessly about recent personal drama, and even though she always pretends like she is not listening, I know that she pays attention to everything. Occasionally, she’ll let me in on some of the drama in her grade which makes me feel super cool.
Being younger is not always as great as it seems, though. On the days that my sister is out with her friends or at musical rehearsal, I have nobody to talk to and nobody to annoy. Sometimes, I just sit on her bed and wait for her to come home. As my sister’s time in high school is approaching its end, I worry about how lonely and bored I will be when she is away at college. As much as I like to deny it, I love spending time with my sister and cannot imagine my life without her.
We definitely have our fair share of fights and disagreements, but there are so many great things about having an older sister. Even though she takes my favorite shirts and steals my snacks, I will always remember the gossip sessions and nighttime drives that we always go on. We argue about the most minor things almost every day, yet I am forever grateful that I have my older sister to support and guide me through life.