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Being the oldest child in a family can sound pretty nice in theory: you have younger siblings you can boss around whenever you need, pull the seniority card if they try to rebel, and you get to know you had at least one year where your parents gave you their full attention. However, the reality is there are plenty of negatives, too.

Comedian and writer Abby Govindan just tweeted one of them. It's the annoying special treatment of the younger brats you have to witness. You had to save up $60 for a Nintendo when you were 7? Your brother gets an Xbox when he's 7. You're threatened you'll be kicked out of your house if you don't make your bed? Your sister lets food rot in hers and no one says anything. That kind of stuff.

Abby's tweet has accumulated nearly 500K likes and 46K comments, many of which were written by other older siblings and detail similar struggles. Here are some of the best ones for you to enjoy scrolling through!

More info: Twitter

Image credits: abbygov

Image credits: abbygov

Also, parents should be careful about this. If children feel they are getting unequal amounts of your attention, discipline, and responsiveness, it can lead to sibling rivalry. It usually continues throughout childhood and can be very frustrating and stressful to the whole family.

According to Sara Laule, MD, the best thing parents can do to avoid this is not playing favorites. "Try not to compare your children to one another," she wrote. "For example, don't say things like, 'Your brother gets good grades in math—why can't you?'"

Enjoying each of your children’s individual talents and successes is important as well, however, it should not get in the way of them forming a team. "Set your kids up to cooperate rather than compete. For example, have them race the clock to pick up toys, instead of racing each other."

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    #3

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    MediumJumbo Report

    Batty
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am in this picture & I do not like it. Being the oldest sucks balls.

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    #5

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    debarghya_das Report

    KaPOW
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lot of the time I think parents learn from their bad decisions next time round, perhaps they realised forcing you into picking the harder subjects clearly didn't make you happy and they are trying not to do the same with your brother?

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    #6

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    nahbois Report

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    #7

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    MarshaMelloh Report

    #8

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    isafunnyword Report

    CrunChewy McSandybutt
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    there is no reason a nine year old needs a smartphone.

    Taylor A
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My aunt got a new phone and gave her 4 year old daughter her old iPhone 6 Plus. NO 4 YEAR OLD HAS ANY REASON TO NEED A PHONE

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    Maisieb
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    Tori Hunter
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The deal with my best friend's family was that you can only get your phone when you start middle school. My best friend, her older brother, and her younger brother all went through this. This year, her younger sister, still halfway through elementary school, got a phone. Her mom claimed it wasn't a phone but I was like 'Yeahhhh she's playing games on it. Phone.'

    Guinea pig girl
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn’t get a phone till sixth grade my little brother got one when he was 6

    Moon Light
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got my first phone at 13 but my sister got a phone as well she was 5

    Lucas
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's ridiculous. Some parents make my jaw drop in horror.

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    Moon Light
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got my phone at 13 my sister got hers at 6

    Elizabeth Dunlop
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The same thing is literally happening to me...I got my first phone last year for Christmas (I was 12), and I lost it so I am going to get a new one if I am able to make all A average grades this year. However, if my brother gets all A grades, and I don't HE gets the phone and I have to wait until I'm 16. It's unfair because my brother is only 11 and has a lot less of a workload and amount of classwork than I do. My mom also swore that none of us would get a phone until we were at least 12-13, so yeah...

    Lucas
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Their reasoning makes no sense. What you do should have no bearing on what your brother gets and your parents need to learn to be equitable. Though your losing your phone does mean you do have to earn the right for another. Phones are extremely expensive and are not a right.

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    Nomadus Aureus
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wasn't allowed a phone until I was sent away for boarding school at 16. And since what does a child need a phone for, I got the cheapest one, which I had to keep until you literally couldn't repair it anymore. My younger brother on the other hand dropped our dad's brand new, top of the range phone. Not only was he not reprimanded, not only did he not have to pay for repairs, they bloody changed the screen AND let him keep the phone. Because these days a kid needs his own phone.

    WolfyDragon_82
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had to grind money as a teenager to even get my first phone!

    Maisieb
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got it at 14. My sister got it on her 6 birthday

    lilspiffy
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As someone who used to sell cellphones and has heard horror stories about kids NOT having phones in times of need... my kindergartens will have phones in their backpacks with gps turned on.

    AdrianaG
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got mine when I was seven, my sister go t hers when she was six, and guess what...- I have a give years old sister too! But she got hers when she was 3 tree

    Pamela24
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Classic. I must say - I was really happy that I got my first laptop at the age of 18 and my younger sister did too. My youngest is 15 now and I'm pretty sure she's gonna have to wait three more years. :) My parents aren't perfect but they definitely did this right.

    KittyComics
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    why mom why I am waiting till 12, and my sister will probably get hers at 8 >:(((

    Lucas
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't know that but regardless no child needs a phone before 12. Parents use the 'safety' argument so if we apply that 'rule' until a child is old enough to be out and about on their own then safety does not come into it.

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    James Pointer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My sister is three years older than me, she would relate to this perfectly. Any "age restricted event" such as crossing the road alone, getting a phone, buying an 18 game. She had to wait until "X" age to do so. But when she was allowed that automatically meant I was allowed also. I think she was just seen a way less mature than me tbh, but I doubt she'd see it that way

    Loki
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i had an iphone 4 in 3rd grade-

    Batty
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your parents were either wealthy, irresponsible, or extremely doting...

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    #9

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    MementoMortis_ Report

    Tenay Douglas
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    PREACH. Thats ALL my siblings say whenever I FINALLY get something of my own

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    #11

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    cakevans Report

    AV7
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She was most likly already dead inside after the vodka incident.

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    #12

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    emilyguelli Report

    Olga Posedaru
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You must've gotten a pretty awesome tattoo if you changed your mom's mind about them :)

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    #15

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    malloryhalex Report

    Abby
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same. If I want a friend over, I have to clean up the whole house by myself. If my younger brother wants a friend over, I have to help him clean the house and he doesn't help at all

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    #17

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    GubbWerks Report

    athornedrose
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    bless this younger sibling who recognizes his advantage

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    #19

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    SaltySock Report

    Helena R
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This resonates with me, no matter how nasty my sibling is to anyone it was always their/my fault. I'm the older bad one. In their twenties now and they still live/scrounge off her but I'm still the nasty ungrateful one

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    #21

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    SGarnet87 Report

    Helenium
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeh been there grounded from being at college too long was 18 , the only time i was grounded ever

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    #22

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    SANSAPPHlC Report

    Shawn
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First kids are just for practice and getting the screw ups outta the way

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    #23

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    lyssmill06 Report

    Nikki D
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Way to breed resentment between siblings.

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    #24

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    Sarahostman22 Report

    Dilly Millandry
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well that's teaching great standards isn't it?

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    #25

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    caliraeofficial Report

    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How does someone who is legally an adult let their parents dictate them a curfew and rules about drinking?

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    #29

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    MrPersonaltySzn Report

    beloved
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom did the same thing to me and said I'd never get a job or amount to anything...unbeknownst to me, a few years later I came to visit and accidentally happened upon her and my step-dads weed stash. Double standard. Now, my 18 yr old daughter moved in with them....they said "no smoking at our house" so when my step-dad found her stash, he stole it, smoked it and lied about it. Then bought weed from her bf. Idiots....

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    #30

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    RHOKll Report

    Heidi Geary
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok but....kick her out? In 8th grade? Maybe I'm lazy but sometimes I forget to do my homework and my Mum usually just asks me a bunch of questions such as 'What was stopping you from doing it?' or 'Do we need to do anything to help you be more responsible?'

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    #31

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    georgialobbe Report

    #32

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    toxic__skulls Report

    Lizzy Potter
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same with me! My mom monitors everything I do, random checks, ect. I'm 16 ! I caught my 7 year old brother watching porn on the family Ipad and took the Ipad away from him and brought it to my mom... I got grounded for 1 week from "yanking it out of his hands". -Edit- we yank things out of each others hands ALL THE TIME and my mom hates it. Also he didn't get any punishment.

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    #34

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    Court_KThorpe Report

    Batty
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's a lot to unpack here.

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    #35

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    sydsketchaholic Report

    Loki
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    my older sister wasn't allowed to dye her hair until 8th grade and my parents helped me dye mine in 6th and do it all the others times ive done it too

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    #36

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    QueenAfshan Report

    Francis
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i am the younger sibling and when i felt left out, my mum said that i have to wait as well as my older brother did. and so i waited until i was old enough for a phone... WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE PAERENTS IN THESE STORIES?

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    #37

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    gabfct Report

    Heidi Geary
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't really understand why people are getting phones at 9.

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    #38

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    _reinaox Report

    Nikki D
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am honestly amazed that parents allow "sleepovers" like this. Is this normal?

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    #39

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    HannahBBR Report

    DrBronxx
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "My parents didn't get me my first car until I was like 17" Is that really supposed to be a hardship? Your parents bought you a car. At age 17.

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    #40

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    JillCWeir Report

    Tiari
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you don’t get the difference between intoxicating yourself and intoxicating others (perhaps even without their knowledge), well...

    #41

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    primthepotato Report

    beloved
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow. That's serious risk taking. You rebels.

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    #42

    Parents-Different-Treatment-Youngest-Eldest-Siblings

    sunshinealjamil Report

    Tenay Douglas
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love euphoria! My younger sister (16) introduced it to me (18) yet my parents are all on me like oh isnt that too mature for you like WDYM.

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