Before anything, let’s just admit that being the eldest child in the family has ALOT of perks, especially growing up in Pakistan. These include, but are not limited to getting undivided attention, being the first to do anything in the family, bullying younger siblings to extort favors and the list goes on. What the world doesn’t realize, however, is that us eldest kids have to deal with way more stuff than JUST that.
1. You are responsible for EVERYTHING
From being the caretaker of your younger sisters and brothers, to making sure you represent the family honor every step of the way when you’re out in public, being the eldest child is a helluva responsibility. Other than that, being the eldest means having to do just A LOT OF CHORES.
2. You can’t ‘act like a child’, from a very early age because you are supposed to be an example for your younger siblings
Doesn’t matter if you’re a 10-year-old kid or a 23-year-old trapped in a 10-year-old kid’s mind, you must never truly express your true self because tumhe dekh ke toh chotay aisi harkatein karta hai. You’re supposed to converse in a decent manner and sit cross-legged like an aunty before you hit the 5 year mark.
3. You’re the first one to reach many milestones so everyone attaches A LOT of expectations to how you do in life
After all, you’re the first child, and everyone from your parents to your siblings to your grandparents to your uncles and aunts and even Zahida bhabi ki saas ke devar ki behn ki jethani is waiting for how you turn out.
4. Since you’re the first one, you get to be the rebel leader and pave new ways for your younger siblings
Things like new subjects to study in college or new lifestyle choices are all what you can act on defiantly because you’re the eldest and your parents will eventually cave even if they are definitely not accepting of your choices, at first.
5. You sometimes (okay, most times) boss over your siblings
Okay, okay… You ALWAYS boss over your siblings.
You have no qualms about telling them harmless lies, like, if they hog the PlayStation remote for too long their hands will stay that way forever so they need to share more frequently.
6. You have personal minions AKA slaves that you count on for absolutely everything
"Pani pila dou" is the national order for younger siblings..??
— Hamad | حمد (@7amad_ijaz) January 31, 2016
Most days, it comes as a surprise that your younger siblings’ name isn’t just “paani la dou”
When ammi asks for someone to lay the table, there they are ready to be delegated to the task.
7. You are the receiver of lots of attention from the elders in the family
When you’re younger, everyone showers you with love since you’re the first, maybe even the first in the family. And that love stays constant when you’re all grown up.
8. You are at the receiving end of criticism from your younger brothers and sisters
“Why does she get more pocket money than me?”
“Why does he always get to stay out much later than me?”
9. If there is a prank, everyone automatically thinks you are always the mastermind
Well, most times, they think correctly, but still!
10. You are expected to meet with all your parents’ friends and acquaintances
Whenever someone visits your home, you are the one having to sit with “uncle”. Whenever a parent visits someone else, you’re the one accompanying them. All this because you’re the representative aulaad.
11. You are the first to graduate, first to get to drive their own car and also first to do all the crazier things
All your crazy antics and activities make you the envy of your siblings who can’t wait to grow old enough to get to stay out late with their friends to do all those crazy things.
12. You’re always worried that your younger brothers or sisters are not strong enough to deal with the world’s crap on their own
So you try and give them advice about every step of their lives. Whether this advice is given any heed is a whole different matter.
13. The family’s interest in your shaadi gets annoying at times
Since you’re like 13 years old, aunties will start parroting, on repeat, “baita, ab toh tumhari shaadi ka intezar hai bas“.
14. Your opinions are actually valued by the “elders” of the family… sometimes
And that is a great reinforcement for your confidence. But sometimes you try and get away with manipulating situations to your advantage *evil grin*
15. The struggle between wanting to hold your younger siblings’ hands through every step of the way or letting them find themselves just like you did is too real for you
You definitely don’t want them to make the same mistakes you did while you were young and not-so-aware.
Cover image via secretcloset.pk