Strict Rules
As the eldest sibling, you eventually discovered that you were your parents' experiment. Parents want to do everything right with the first child. They worry about every scrape and bruise, and want their child to stay safe. Often, this means going overboard on the rules. By the time the second and third children come along, the parents know what they can relax about, and the younger siblings have it much easier.
Role Model
You've had your parents, teachers, and maybe an older cousin to look up to, and while you pieced together your influences, your siblings primarily looked to you as a role model. That's a lot of pressure when you're just a few years older than them. When your little brother or sister followed your example but did something wrong, you got the blame.
Too Much Sharing
Not only were you the role model, your siblings, especially those of the same gender, followed you around. Everyone wants some time alone, and it's a minor miracle that you lived through a time when the only way you could have a bit of private time was to go to the bathroom, and maybe not even then. You had to share your toys, your space, and probably even your bedroom.
Taking the Blame
Yes, you got the blame, because you were the oldest, and should have known better, even if you were five, and your brother was four. You poured your cereal and milk and sat down to eat. Your brother poured his and spilled it all over. You should have set a better example.
Being Bossy
Since you were as likely to get in trouble for your little sister if she did something like getting into Mommy's makeup while you also happened to be at home, you had to exercise a little control over her. So, you yelled at her not to get into Mommy's makeup. Then, you got in trouble for making her cry.
The Role of Chauffeur
You waited through your first two years of high school to be able to get your driver license. You got your permit at 15 and practiced at school and with your parents. Finally, you were allowed to drive your parents' older, second car. Most of the time, you're driving your sister and brother to the mall. So much for independence.
Brand New
Being the eldest sibling definitely has its good sides, too. You always got the newest clothes, new LEGOs, and new game systems. When you grew out of them, your clothes went to your younger sibling of the same gender. They often insisted that it wasn't fair. After all you had to put up with as the eldest, you agreed. They never had to put up with as much difficulty as you.
The Kids' Table
At Thanksgiving and weddings, because the adults wanted to talk among themselves about adult things, they set up a children's dining table. And you, the oldest of the kid bunch, had to sit there with your siblings and cousins, some of them 10 years younger than you. Worse, you had to sit on the same tiny chairs they did.
The Adults' Table
At some point during the holidays, you finally graduated from the kids' table to the adult table. The adult conversation was a lot more fun that what the kids were talking about, too, with stories of when your parents and their siblings were growing up and how tough life could be as the eldest sibling.
Star Potty
You got to watch the "Star Wars" films with your mom and dad before your siblings did, and a new one had just come out in the theater. Everyone got to go, including your little sister and brother. Every five minutes, one of them insisted on going to the bathroom. Then your little brother began running all over the theater. Unable to keep them under control, your parents decided that you all had to leave.
Your Personal History
There is a bright side to your parents making a huge fuss over you, their first child. They kept copious records of your life. You had multiple baby books, especially if your mom or dad was into scrap-booking. As an adult, you can look back on your life with amazement.
Babysitting
Sure, you had a babysitter until you were about 15, as your parents were still overly protective of you. However, once they realized that you were all right on your own, they reasoned that they could save money by having you watch your siblings. Finally, they could go out on their own and not spend any extra money. So, you watched the kids and wondered why you were getting paid less than the babysitter used to, if you were getting paid at all.
