Im the oldest of 2 with my brother whom was born 4 1/2 years later, so i went from only child to oldest child so suppose im bit of both with resentment LOL. Mainly felt rejected & pushed out when he came along as i was only child for over 4 years but then also exibited into oldest child syndrome after with feeling of responsiblity [because it was expected me being oldest] free babysitter, couldnt go places or with friends cos had to keep eye on younger bro & had to take him with me - like to the fair once
cramping my style LOL.
Age difference siblings when kids seem huge at the time, plus i was test pilot child i went out of line, pushed boundaries, or tried new things it was much more restricted - plus as my bro freely admits hehehe that he learnt thro my mistakes or where i went wrong or could of done better or didnt - like get away with stuff he did, with 1st child its a learning curve for parents because its new for them as well as child where if subsequent siblings do it - its 'oh we seen this before' & they handle it better without the shock or over reaction as with the 1st.
So i think being the oldest child is the hardest to deal with from child point of view cos it can seem unfair. I have 2 now 3 kids so im very aware, i can understand the oldest one as well as the next oldest - having been in both of their shoes at some point so havent lost that thought perspective- but the youngest im aware but a bit blind in some respects as havent been the youngest child.
Its hard being kids sometimes hehehehe having said all that with my bro - we didnt get on kinda hit & miss back then dependant on what was happening, BUT now we have grown up we are remarkably close, we actually have a good sibling relationship now & those birth order obstacles that was hugely blocking as children are used to advantage now adults in keeping the balance in our siblingship, he comes to me when needs me & vice versa
