What advice would YOU give to an oldest child of a large and very large family r

1. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 10 years ago

   What advice would YOU give to an oldest child of a large and very large family regarding
   
   pursuing his/her own life and interests? Oldest children of large and very large families oftentimes are parents to their younger siblings. They are on 24/7/365, being at the beck and call to their parents and/or younger siblings.  They have NO individual lives of their own.  They do not have NORMAL childhoods and adolescence as other children do.  While other children have a normative childhood and adolescence with friends, hobbies, and activities, oldest children in large and very large families spend such years, caring for and raising younger siblings. They are  often parentified children.
   
   

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2. 84

   bethperryposted 10 years ago

   I think that would depend entirely on one's interpretation of "normal". I know several people who were the oldest child in large families and speak quite fondly of their childhoods, and also who turned out successful in their careers and ambitions. It doesn't always turn out this way, I'm sure, but life is a unique experience for each and every one of us. Knowing this, I would not personally presume that being the oldest in a large family condemns anyone to the fate you've suggested.  The only advice I would give them is cherish your loved ones to the fullest, for there are some in this world who can only wish they had siblings.

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   1. 85

      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      On the surface, they may speak  "fondly" of their experience but inwardly and behind closed doors, they resent and hate their parents for robbing them of normative childhoods & adolescence, forcing them to become adults very young.

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