What Is Oldest Child Syndrome?
Being the eldest child can be one of the most rewarding parts of being a sibling. There are many advantages to being the eldest sibling. For example, I love the fact that my brother Jack looks up to me. He loves having conversations with me and he finds me funny. He’s only ten years old but I feel so much love for that boy. However, being the eldest sibling can also be very nerve-wracking. As the beady eyes of our siblings watch on, pressure begins to build like a volcano full of molten lava.
Oldest child syndrome is not a diagnosable condition but is known as a collection of characteristics and traits that emerge from the eldest sibling. For example, for the first three years of my life, I was an only child. In August 2006, my brother Ben was born. For a very long time, I felt like I was competing for my mother’s attention with Ben. These behaviours became more toxic as Ben grew up, leading to physical fights and constant arguments.
Common characteristics of oldest child syndrome:
- You may feel very…
