Follow us on Twitter
Why You Will Never Win, No Matter What Child You Are
Published by Nikita K in Life
October 29, 2009
We’ve all had that discussion about being the “only” child or the “eldest” child or the “youngest” child or the “middle” child and how bad it is being one of those children. The truth is, mate, you’ll never win. (Please note, all of this is purely humorous and no offense is intended if true).
We’ve all done it. We’ve complained about ourselves or the siblings. If you don’t know what I’m on about, I am referring to the common “positions” in a family – the “eldest” child, the “youngest” child, the “middle” child and the “only” child. As children, you will remember complaining about your position in the family and about your siblings’ position in the family. But I know you’ll remember one thing, no matter what child you are, you are never at any special advantage. This is why…
1) The Eldest Child
Advantages:
The “eldest” child is the trend setter. If the “eldest” child wears a shirt with ‘I’m stupid’ written on it, the rest of the pack follows the leader. The “eldest” child is given responsibility – makes them look grown up and more mature – but really, who cares if they really are grown up or mature. The “eldest” child is ALWAYS the centre of attention. They are given the first choice, be it picking out what jumper to wear or which pair of those hideous socks you get to choose. The “eldest” child is the smart one by default because they have “seen more of life”.
Disadvantages:
The “eldest” child can get away with nothing! There’s always that sob story of “setting an example for your younger siblings” that sticks to them ALL their lives. The “eldest” child is also always under scrutiny for the best behaviour out in a party or something. Who cares if the other children dipped their chicken salad in the custard at a posh party? If the “eldest” child does it, they are bound to get a few harsh words eventually.
2) The Middle Child
Advantages:
The “middle” child is always the one who can sink into the shadows and disappear when the other kids get the blame. They are always put in a situation where they don’t have to set an example for any one or they don’t even have to follow it. The “middle” child always gets to play the angel. Let the older sibling get the blame because of what the “middle” child did to the younger one. The “middle” child is the one who is the best behaved because the others naturally expect the “middle” child to have the maturity of the older sibling and the innocence of the younger one. If there is more than one “middle” child, the “middle” child always has their own little group of “middlehood”.
Liked it
25 Comments
Very well prepared article and also nice and cute pictures used. Liked it!
Very interesting article.
An insightful well presented article. I was the youngest, a late-life child and the only girl. To say I was spoiled is an understatement, just ask my brothers.
Well thought of. Written with the perception of a much older person.Commendable.
Very thoughtful write. I liked the topic.
A very good article. You described my two younger brothers and me exactly. How did you know? I really enjoyed that.
Christine
Thanks all of you for your comments.
Feel free to guess what child do you lot think I am
I’ll be interested to see your guesses if I’ll be the youngest, oldest, middle or only.
I’m No.3 out of 4….and I reckon the favourite!! Sorry siblings!!! Nice piece Atikin, and I think you’re a middle child, 3 out of 4 like me!
Haha.. It made me smile. Well put!
Your an only child Atikin.. Thats how I picture you as
as for me I am eldest of with 2 younger sisters.
LOL, I love it, and I don’t want to hear any more complaining about being the first, middle, or youngest child. You have them all pegged but good. As for me I am the eldest. I have three sons so there you go. You gave each one of them a good come uppence.
like you said there are no winners:
I get stuck with the tears of my parents (im the youngest)
My brother gets in over his head in drugs cause my older siblings did them once or twice
My older siblings learned how to drive the soonest and managed to destroy several cars apeice.
This is a hoot! Thanks so much for a very enjoyable article!
I love it! While it is true that the eldest child gets all the attention and is (ehem) the smat one, the attention lasts only for a short while because the younger child gets it when he arrives in this world. LOL
typo … the “smart” one.
I really enjoyed this article very much. I’m glad I wasn’t only child. the youngest always gets away with murder & is the cutest & more spoiled. The oldest sucks in a way because the parents experiment when it comes to freedom while the middle and younger get away with so much more.
Very interesting article
Being the oldest of eight siblings,I never got favored and yes,got away with nothing.If my siblings did something,it was me that got into trouble.
I’m glad my childhood years are over so maybe I can win on ocasion as an adult.Loved the article.
mmm mm m ! How did you come up with this? I am the oldest of thirteen & can relatw to each point with clarity Being the oldest I was–leader, teacher, mentor and protector & took my position seriously still do. My siblings are adults now some are even Grandparents now. But when they are under stress I get the phone call. Sometimes growwing up I wanted to runaway from it all Im glad i did not. Because now it is so fulfilling to be the one that gets called, more and more even before Mom, they want to just let her enjoy the rest of her years.. Excellent article
What about that family with over 18 kids? O.o lol great article thumbs up!
I really enjoyed your article. My sister and I are twins and I am the younger one (by one minute).
Brought a smile to my face
hello! i am the youngest of 3 and i was too lazy to read this article! so srry! but i am known to be lazy! hahaha!
haha… im the oldest, so im always the winner! lol! good article!
It gives me new ideas when I will give another family lecture