11 Things You’ll Understand If You’re The Oldest Child In A Lebanese Family

You went from the family’s spoiled child to a third parent and you have no idea how it happened. Can you relate?

1. You’re basically a third parental figure in the household.

After all the effort they’ve put into raising you, your parents have decided that they’re done with parenting, and it’s your job to take charge.

Ta3meh khayyik
7adrilo tyebo
Wasel ekhtak 3al madrse
Kheda tedhar ma3 rfi2eta

2. You’re also a part-time tutor, free of charge.

Your parents have had their share of multiplication tables and problem solving exercises, it’s your responsibility now.

Al mama darsine math
Al baba 3melle l imla2

3. Your parents always had the highest expectations and standards for you.

You were either top of your class or a disappointment, there’s no in between.

4. Your parents were ten times more strict with you than they are with your siblings.

Being the first child also means you were an experiment for your parents. They were still learning how things are done and so you were the victim of unreasonable curfews and extreme paranoia.

Mamnou3 trouhe 3a bet rfi2tik abel ma emma tde2eleh w te7kine shakhsiyan.
6:30 betkoun bel bet, 7 ma bkhalik tfout.

5. You didn’t have a cell phone until you were 17 but your 8 year old sibling somehow has an iPhone 11.

They also own a PS4 and Air Pods when your most prized possessions in elementary school was a notebook and a glitter pen.

6. You’ve had your parent’s full affection and attention for at least one full year.

You were extra spoiled if you were also the family’s first grandchild.

7. Everything you owned was passed down to your brother or sister.

It doesn’t matter if there’s two or ten years between you and your sibling, you both have a picture in the same onesie. Love your bike? Too bad, you share it with your brother now.

8. Watching your siblings get their share of 3idiye when you’ve outgrown it is heartbreaking.

What happened to being forever young?

9. Your siblings will often get away with things you never dared to do.

Refer to #4.

10. You think with great responsibility comes great freedom, but no.

Doesn’t matter if you’re old enough to be semi-rising your own siblings, you’re still young enough to have to obey your parents. You just can’t win them all.

11. Earning your siblings’ respect is a tough job.

Yes you might have changed their diapers when they were younger, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be eternally grateful. Get over it.