Oldest sibling?

As the older and oldest sibling at home, we are often expected - or naturally put to - guide/teach/look after the younger one(s). Last time, I used to think the older siblings at home are usually more mature than the other kids of their same age who are not the older ones at home. However, these years as my younger brother have begun to step into his late teens, I've noticed something interesting.

Most kids who are the oldest child at home 'grow up' earlier than their playmates of the same age. Perhaps this saying is correct when applied to younger children, or to those who have siblings a lot younger than them. I've noticed as they grow up and the younger ones begin to be able to take good care of themselves, the older siblings will as well start to shed off their responsibilities as the oldest child.

Above and beneath the clouds - two different worlds?

It happens in my family, I'd say.

These recent years, my brother who is three years younger have - for countless times - expressed his admiration for me in my little-girl days. When I was still in kindergarten, I looked after him when our parents were too busy to watch him out. At eight, when his kindergarten called for the older siblings to follow the toddlers to a trip to the Zoo Negera, I've taught him many useful so-called surviving skills when the teachers start to lose control of too big a group of children.

Not just once he had said, "Back then I thought it was normal for you to know so much as you were older than me, but thinking of it now, you were just a kid! For a kid to comprehend all those that you've taught me, it's really amazing!"

I'm pleased. I've honestly never realised that too until he mentioned. Then, I started to feel proud of my young self. I was amazed too, as now I look at eight-year-olds as the young and innocent ones who couldn't understand much of what I knew back then (ha ha! Such egoism. Jeez).

BUT, my brother has also said this, "but now not only the looks, you're even acting like a younger sister to me."

Korean Coke!

Cokes from other countries taste different from ours, trust me.

That hit me. I don't deny that, for now at home I'm the one who acts like a kid.

For once I said it was because I comprehend things and think like a mature person, but character wise I'm a playful kid. That made sense, until recently when I felt I - in comparison to other children - wasn't a very playful kid back then, it seems.

So I came up with this hypothesis which till now I would still agree with. That is, the younger brother have grown up and no longer needs my watching, so I've naturally - with the shedding of the responsibility - psychologically returned to the younger days and experience acting like a kid to make up for what I've missed as one.

I guess it is so. But of course I meant just at home. Outside facing the world, we're still our responsibility-pressured selves. ;)

What do you think? As an oldest sibling who came through the years like I did, and the younger siblings who might have seen the changes in your older brothers and sisters.

While I get back to play with my Barbie dolls, do stay well. :)


P.S
Well, we all know I don't own Barbie dolls anymore. :P