Here’s What Your Sibling Order Might Reveal About You

We can't be the only people who have met someone and been able to tell they were the oldest child or youngest child after just a few minutes of conversation.

It may not be super scientific, but at least in our experience, it feels like birth order can play a big role in the personality you develop as you grow up. Most people will admit to having at least a couple of obvious traits that are a direct consequence their family dynamic. Were you an oldest, middle or youngest child? Or maybe not a sibling at all? Whatever the case, just keep scrolling to discover what your sibling order might reveal about you.

(Bob's Burgers via Fox)

The Eldest Child

As the eldest child, chances are that you've often been saddled with lots of responsibility, whether you like it or not. Even if you're not a natural-born leader, you've been shaped into one, sometimes forced into the role of an additional parent and being tasked with (usually unpaid) duties such as babysitting, chauffeuring and tutoring. People might think of you as bossy, but you're just trying to maintain order—and keep your siblings alive.

You hold yourself to high standards because you always got the toughest treatment, sometimes even shouldering the blame for things you didn't do. You've probably also gotten pretty good at giving advice, even if you don't always follow it yourself. Patience has also been a virtue for you, including times you had to wait years to get a cell phone, but your younger siblings got their own at exactly the same time. Even still, you don't resent being the oldest, and no matter how annoying your siblings can be and how much is asked of you, you really care about them and will do whatever it takes to protect them.

(Bob's Burgers via Fox)

 

Also read about: 13 Annoying Struggles of Being the Oldest Child

 

The Middle Child

As the middle child, you've probably felt "stuck in the middle" for much of your life. While oldest and youngest children are often parents' focus for their own reasons, the middle child often gets less attention, and you've learned this can be a mixed bag. Being slightly overlooked may not always be the best for your self-esteem, but on the other hand, it allows you to get away with things—and you've pinned the blame on either older or younger siblings at least once. These things can be even more true in families with multiple middle children.

You're also very familiar with having to share things and wait your turn, which has taught you the value of fairness and given you a unique sense of justice. You care deeply about everyone getting their share, and are willing to right for that right. Occasionally, you may be prone to acting out just to get some attention. Despite being surrounded by people, you've likely grown to be self-reliant, though you know you'll always have people you can count on when you really need them.

(Bob's Burgers via Fox)

 

Also read about: 11 Struggles Every Middle Child Will Understand

 

The Youngest Child

If you're a youngest child, people probably assume that you've always had it easy, but that's definitely not the case. Sure, being "the baby" may mean you're the most pampered, but when everyone sees you as a little kid, you don't necessarily have the freedom that your older siblings might. You're probably used to plenty of oversight from parents and siblings alike and have likely had to fight to define yourself and your own identity. It's hard enough when teachers assume you're just tinier version of your older siblings when you're not wearing their hand-me-downs.

Still, you've likely found power in the work it takes to step out of the shadow of those who came before you. You know how to make do with whatever's given to you, and you snatch up opportunities to be independent and make  choices for yourself. You've probably also learned how to bend the rules just enough that you don't get into trouble, and you know how to use your unique appeals to get what you want.

(Bob's Burgers via Fox)

 

Also read about: You'll Only Truly Understand These Struggles If You're the Youngest Sibling

 

The Twin

Sibling dynamics may be most complicated when twins are involved. You've basically shared everything with your twin since you were born, and even though your parents treat you equally and you grew up in the same environment, it's surprising how different you can be form each other. Either you're glued at the hip, or it's been a lifelong struggle for you to be truly seen.

Defining who you are as an individual has likely been a lifelong process that's shaped you. There may have been periods where you did things just to be like your twin, or just to be unlike them, before finding your most authentic path somewhere in the middle. Constant comparison has sometimes brought you down, but other times inspired you or motivated you to become your best self. Despite all of it, you're closer to your twin than anyone else. Having a best friend for life, who'll always have your back, is one of your favorite things about being a twin.

(Bob's Burgers via Fox)

 

The Only Child

What sibling dynamics? If you're an only child, you've never experienced the positives or negatives of sharing your life with siblings, which gives you a unique outlook. Your parents probably held you to exceedingly high standards, and while you got their undivided attention, it felt overbearing at times. It's likely they made a lot of choices for you, trying to shape you into the ideal child, and it's taken even longer to step out of that mold and figure out who you actually are for yourself.

Since you never had other kids at home, you also approach friendships in your own way. Without siblings, you learned how to interact with people your own age at school, and your relationships with them may be less familiar and more formal than most. You've figured it all out as you go, looking outside of the home to see what the real world is like. You're also well-versed in referring to video tutorials when you want to learn something new and learned to be independent pretty early on. You know how to make your own fun.

(Bob's Burgers via Fox)

 

For even more struggles you'll relate to if you're an only child, click HERE.