Alix: Mom? Aunt Joan? I'm doing a survey. Who has it worst in a family? Oldest or youngest?
Val: OLDEST!
Joan: YOUNGEST!
Alix: So, it's equal.
Val: HA!
Joan: Let's count the BABY PICTURES.
I agree, it’s the youngest. But I do try to take just as many pictures of both of my kids. I think the oldest has more baby pictures, but the youngest has more kid pictures.
The only thing that I can think of that the oldest has harder is that they’re the one who breaks the rules first, so they fight with their parents more when they become teenagers.
middle child, definitely. I was youngest, with curly blond hair and big blue eyes and was doted on by grandparents, my brother was charming and funny. My sister felt left out.
Okay for those of you come from bigger family with 4 or more siblings. Who then feels left out? I wouldn’t know my parents only sister and I, hubby only wanted two me I wished more, as family has died or moved on.
In large families? The middle. All the bullying that comes with being youngest, all the unpopularity of being the oldest. Plus, you’re still a well-adjusted child when the older siblings discover become moody teens, and you’ve outgrown it when the little ones start.But I’m not bitter.
I would have said “middle” (although I think the survey should have “first”, “second”, “middle”, and"youngest" options, because in the human developement class that’s how it was done and it made a lot of sense to me.) However I think there has to be something to what Darkeforce is saying. I’m the youngest of four and you spend a lot of time dealing with the fact that your family will never take you seriously. You’ve got all these other people who think they know exactly what’s right for you and won’t even listen to you on the subject unless it’s in a patronizing " All right little ducky, you think that." way.
I was an “only” and for the most part it wasn’t bad. However, there was no one else to blame things on and didn’t have anyone to play with on rainy days.
Youngest of five, got far, far fewer baby pics. Got got movie money last (which many times ment I got none), most clothes were hand me downs. However more kids ment more love so I’m really not complaining.
I had two older brothers, 2 younger sisters, still got used clothing. My parents VERY strict with me, as oldest girl, but let youngest sister do as she liked. If I complained, my mom said, “After YOU have 5 kids show me how much energy YOU have to discipline the last one.”
The oldest gets the parents when they’re inexperienced and worried about doing it right. They get the most strictness. The younger kids try to imitate the older siblings. The oldest sibling tries to imitate the parents, which is harder. The oldest gets more stress. The oldest has to watch the younger ones and is sometimes responsible when they get into trouble. Parents are more likely to expect the oldest to be a perfect child.
7th of 7. Oldest siblings had it tougher financially. I wore a lot of hand me downs and home made clothes. Never fitted in to the family as I was too young for siblings too old for nieces/nephews. They’d all tell you I had it easiest but my parents learned from the older 6 and came down harder on me on all things. As an adult I have taken over the role of the eldest as carer and being responsible for keeping in contact with everyone. I’m seen as the one who can “get things done”… even if people resent it being the youngest who does it. :o/The person in our family with the biggest issues? The middle one…
kreole almost 13 years ago
Where’d the kid in the lap go?
dataweaver almost 13 years ago
The middle. No, seriously.
lightenup Premium Member almost 13 years ago
I agree, it’s the youngest. But I do try to take just as many pictures of both of my kids. I think the oldest has more baby pictures, but the youngest has more kid pictures.
The only thing that I can think of that the oldest has harder is that they’re the one who breaks the rules first, so they fight with their parents more when they become teenagers.
mblase75 almost 13 years ago
The oldest gets more parental attention. On the other hand, the youngest learns more independence.
pibfan868 almost 13 years ago
Max jumped down when he heard this discussion start up. He’s got his own opinions, most likely!
pearlandpeach almost 13 years ago
the middle child has the worst time….not old enough, too old.
griefofdawn almost 13 years ago
middle child, definitely. I was youngest, with curly blond hair and big blue eyes and was doted on by grandparents, my brother was charming and funny. My sister felt left out.
kab2rb almost 13 years ago
Little tolder would get to bored has to keep moving into a different activity.
kab2rb almost 13 years ago
Okay for those of you come from bigger family with 4 or more siblings. Who then feels left out? I wouldn’t know my parents only sister and I, hubby only wanted two me I wished more, as family has died or moved on.
BananaSlug almost 13 years ago
In large families? The middle. All the bullying that comes with being youngest, all the unpopularity of being the oldest. Plus, you’re still a well-adjusted child when the older siblings discover become moody teens, and you’ve outgrown it when the little ones start.But I’m not bitter.
bergamot almost 13 years ago
I would have said “middle” (although I think the survey should have “first”, “second”, “middle”, and"youngest" options, because in the human developement class that’s how it was done and it made a lot of sense to me.) However I think there has to be something to what Darkeforce is saying. I’m the youngest of four and you spend a lot of time dealing with the fact that your family will never take you seriously. You’ve got all these other people who think they know exactly what’s right for you and won’t even listen to you on the subject unless it’s in a patronizing " All right little ducky, you think that." way.
Saucy1121 Premium Member almost 13 years ago
I was an “only” and for the most part it wasn’t bad. However, there was no one else to blame things on and didn’t have anyone to play with on rainy days.
Dry and Dusty Premium Member almost 13 years ago
I hear you Saucy!
Dry and Dusty Premium Member almost 13 years ago
Always wished I had at least one sibling!
Kathleen Healey Premium Member almost 13 years ago
Youngest of five, got far, far fewer baby pics. Got got movie money last (which many times ment I got none), most clothes were hand me downs. However more kids ment more love so I’m really not complaining.
rachelbirder almost 13 years ago
I had two older brothers, 2 younger sisters, still got used clothing. My parents VERY strict with me, as oldest girl, but let youngest sister do as she liked. If I complained, my mom said, “After YOU have 5 kids show me how much energy YOU have to discipline the last one.”
krisl73 almost 13 years ago
The oldest gets the parents when they’re inexperienced and worried about doing it right. They get the most strictness. The younger kids try to imitate the older siblings. The oldest sibling tries to imitate the parents, which is harder. The oldest gets more stress. The oldest has to watch the younger ones and is sometimes responsible when they get into trouble. Parents are more likely to expect the oldest to be a perfect child.
CateBilling almost 13 years ago
7th of 7. Oldest siblings had it tougher financially. I wore a lot of hand me downs and home made clothes. Never fitted in to the family as I was too young for siblings too old for nieces/nephews. They’d all tell you I had it easiest but my parents learned from the older 6 and came down harder on me on all things. As an adult I have taken over the role of the eldest as carer and being responsible for keeping in contact with everyone. I’m seen as the one who can “get things done”… even if people resent it being the youngest who does it. :o/The person in our family with the biggest issues? The middle one…