Where Are You in the Birth Order? | Cup of Jo

This weekend, we went to visit my parents in Michigan…

…and had the best time smelling bonfires, climbing haystacks, and crunching through the snow. We also saw my beloved college roommate, Alison, pictured above, and it felt exactly the same, as always.

Also, isn’t it funny how you revert to your childhood self around your family? I’m 100000% the firstborn daughter and act accordingly. I figure out the logistics, make the reservations, get the driving directions, you name it.

The funny part is, I have a twin, but since I’m two minutes older, our family has always treated me like the big sister. Here’s what my sister said a few years ago:

Jo: Even though we’re twins, I’m two minutes older. And it’s part of my identity that I’m the oldest child in the family.
Lucy: Yes, 100%, you are my older sister. I don’t even know what to say, it’s just a fact that I’m a middle child. You know how the middle child is the peacemaker? I’m kind of like, well, I’m the middle child and I go with the flow!
Jo: Yes, and as the oldest, I make sure everyone knows what time to be at dinner or whatever.
Lucy: And that was true even when we were seven.

Now I’m curious: Where do you fall in the birth order? An only child? Oldest? Youngest? It’s complicated? Do you think it’s affected your personality? I’d love to hear. Also, Ramadan Mubarak to those who observe!

P.S. 12 reader comments on siblings, and “how I found out I had 35 siblings.”