I am the oldest of three boys. A fact that my father reminded me of many times as a child. Today, I completely understand why he would tell me that, but back then, I hated hearing it.When I was seven and Kyle was four, we were caught jumping on the bed. Kyle was yelled at and told to leave the room. I was spanked.
I remember being mad all night because it was so unfair. It wasn't so bad that I got spanked. That happened all time. It was that Kyle did not get spanked and the only explanation I was given was that I was the oldest and had to set an example for my brothers.
At the time, I didn't consider that dad had already told me three times to stop jumping on the bed and Kyle had just then come in to join me. A seven year old thinks in simpler terms. So, to even out the punishment that I didn't understand, I found Kyle and punched him in the face to share the pain.
I got spanked again.
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As the baby of the family I have a hard time with the trouble the eldest had to go through. I got away with everything and to this day, my older siblings, especially my sister, will jump through hoops to help me - whether I ask for it or not!
ReplyDeleteAs a parent, I find myself yelling at my oldest to set a good example and the like. My husband, the eldest in his family, will throw me a look to let me know if I'm going too far with it. I think we strike a fair balance.
It wasn't really too bad, but I do remember hating that phrase as a child. I didn't choose to be the oldest.
DeleteI'm technically an only child so I never had to deal with that much. I do remember being about ten and my little cousin was about six. My dad and I, plus my cousin's family, were all staying at my grandparents' house. I was always put in bed while the sun was still out and my cousin got to stay up later than me. I asked why and I was told, "He's younger and you do what you're told. You're setting the example."
ReplyDeleteI understand it now, but then, I wanted to scream because it seemed like the stupidest thing ever.
It's hard to figure out when it's fair and when it's just parental excuses. I just kept my kids in the back room.
DeleteSorry you got spanked. I am the youngest child. Now that I have children, I can better appreciate what my older sister went through as I watch what my older child goes through.
ReplyDeleteI think I deserved it.
DeleteThis reminds me of when my kids were small. I think my oldest would have used the same logic.
ReplyDeleteI still think it makes sense.
DeleteI was the youngest, and that's no fun, either! My brother got to do anything he wanted. I remember being furious with my mom when I told her I would get bigger than my brother someday and she told me I wouldn't...and laughed!! So unfair.
ReplyDeleteSo, did you ever get bigger than him?
DeleteI'm the oldest as well and feel your pain. Is that a monkey or did you have a fuzzy family member?
ReplyDeleteIt's a little of both.
DeleteMy mum was an equal opportunity woman. If one out of the six of us got spanked, we all got spanked.
ReplyDeleteAnd how can you show us a picture of Priscilla and not explain further...tease. :)
Sorry. I will try to make amends.
DeleteI was the older brother as well. I can relate. Although I did pass a fair portion of that down to my little brother too. SO I think it evened out.
ReplyDeleteElliot
We Are Adventure
We all took our beatings. Trevor wasn't as good at passing it off after a while.
DeleteOh, yeah, I remember those kinds of things. Except I often got in trouble (for being oldest) for things my brother did even when I wasn't home when they happened.
ReplyDeleteMy brother never got a single spanking his entire life.
Luckily, (luckily?) we all got our share of spankings.
DeleteI so remember this type of occurrence as I was the oldest too. Excellent post.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. ☺
I'm glad people don't just think I am cruel. I save that distinction for my children.
DeleteHappened to hear this even now being the eldest. !!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Then you understand.
DeleteI was the youngest and got away with murder, not that I was a difficult kid.
ReplyDeleteMy brother was a difficult child.
DeleteYeah, but you have albums and albums of baby pics. I have no idea what I looked like before I was 3, and then most of the pictures are group shots with all 5 of us kids!
ReplyDeleteAlthough a big shout out to elder sibs everywhere. I learned to learn from the mistakes of others - thanks for your mistakes!
I have to have albums of baby pics. I was adorable.
Deleteis that monkey real? was it yours? Explain!
ReplyDeleteWhat? I thought everyone had a monkey growing up.
DeleteIm the oldest of 3... I have 2 younger brothers. The middle one is 2 years younger than me. So naturally, we spent our entire youth engaged in fisticuffs.
ReplyDeleteWe were once punished for an entire summer..
Hugs!
Valerie Nunez and the Flying Platypi
A whole summer? What did you do?
DeleteI am third in line, two older brothers, and then I have a younger sister. My sister claims she got picked on mercilessly and that I was just as bad as our brothers at that. (I don't know about that, but I admit I did pick on her. A lot.) Being a middle child, most of my altercations were with the brother just older than me. My oldest brother seemed to just smartly stay out of trouble, most of the time.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo with Priscilla!
I don't know that any of us stayed out of trouble most of the time.
DeleteThank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDelete