The Guinea pig

I was lucky enough to be the first born in my family. I carried the usual responsibilities of being the oldest and wisest(wink). I actually was pretty hard on myself growing up. I had to be the perfect child. I had to be a good example to my younger siblings. I about died when my dad told me one time he was" disappointed in me". It broke my heart to know at that moment, I was not the perfect child I had worked hard to be. I never lied( I'm a horrible liar. I usually don't make eye contact or bust up laughing. My mom could instantly tell if I was fibbing or not). I never snuck out. I never put myself in uncomfortable positions or went to parties where inappropriate activities were happening. And if they were I was out of there faster than lightning. I'm not saying this to toot my own horn or anything, I simply was afraid of what might happen if I were to do any of those things. Occasionally my Dad and I would have huge fights over how I thought his rules were totally unfair and he must hate me or not trust me.

The group of girls I hung around during my growing up years were ALL the youngest child. I'm so serious when I say this. Until 7th grade I was the only Oldest child among my friends. Their parents were older and more tired so they could get away with ANYTHING. They always got to stay out later, They always got to do sleepovers, etc. Once we hit 7th grade we added more girls to our "Group" and guess what... the only other girl who wasn't the youngest was the ONLY child in her family. What gives? My little group of friends always called me "the mother". If we went out to eat I was the one who got everyone napkins and silverware. I almost always the last one to sit down because I was making sure everyone had everything they needed. Growing up I would constantly tell my parents that one day they would just give in and be tired and let my younger siblings do Whatever they wanted. They always assured me this would NEVER happen and they would ALWAYS be strict. Well I am here to tell you.... BLEH! They are big fat liars(love you M &D). There is 10 years between me and my youngest sibling Kaytlyn. Kaytlyn is 14 and a big 9th grader this year. Weston, my next to last sibling, is almost 18 and a big senior and Kyle, the sibling right under me is by far the smartest child in the family and the oldest boy and on a mission. Lets just get down to the nitty gritty. Lets look at the difference between my rules as a teenager and their rules as teenagers. Now there are similarities. Not a ton. With each child it seems to be a little different.

Whitney: Curfew at 11 until graduated high school , moved out, moved back home, then it was midnight. Not allowed to have boyfriends. Shared a cell phone with my mother until I was 18 years old. Not allowed sleepovers unless HUMONGOUS special occasions and weeks of begging and preparing my mother. Not allowed anything lower then a "B" in any class( one time I had a C in a class at the end of a quarter and I got the 'Deering's don't get C's lecture from my parents'). Must Honor in Seminary. Not allowed to miss school unless the rug by the toilet was my bed the previous evening. Bribed by my mother to wait to kiss until I was 16( I almost made this one. Stinking Thatcher C. with no cartilage in his nose). Shared a room with my 10 year younger sister until 18. Not allowed to drive home alone EVER at night. Mom waited up in the recliner until I got home. You get my drift?

Unfortunately Kyle was held to the same standards. My parents were Young then too. Although Kyle got a cell phone at 16 and was allowed to exclusively date a girl in high school. Like I said earlier Kyle is the smartest. He could seriously never open a book and get and A + in all classes. The little twerp. Him and Weston shared a room until I moved out and got married 4 years ago then Kyle took over my room downstairs after My mom asked Zach for advice on how to get the boys to get along better. Zach told her they needed their own rooms. That seemed to help him and his brother. Almost instantaneously Kyle was moved downstairs and they had their own rooms.

Lets get to Weston. This one is going to kill you.

Weston: also known as " the difficult one". My mom constantly says Weston is the most like her. Apparently she lived life on the edge growing up and was the difficult one in her family too. She "gets" him. Weston has a curfew at 11. Sometimes. Has had more girlfriends then anyone has fingers and toes. Does not have to honor Seminary. Parents are hoping he just goes( Disclaimer: this year he is REALLY enjoying seminary. For serious) Missed 1st hour this morning because he was not mentally prepared for his Spanish Quiz, parents agreed it was best if he stay home too and eat eggs and toast instead. Cell Phone: 14. Misses school for just about anything. Gets a pat on the back for a "C" in classes. Mom now waits in her bed or on the couch. Gets away with murder( not really).

Kaytlyn: held to same standards as Whitney And Kyle, Kind of. Kind of an overachiever. Cell Phone:12. As a 14 year old curfew 10:30. Only a half hour earlier than older siblings. Hardly does any household chores unless threatened to lose her life. Floats about life without a care in the world. Granted she is only 14. I cant wait to watch as she gets older.

I find this all very comical and dont take ANY of this serious at all. And I hope no one else does either. Truly I have amazing Parents. They would do anything for me and have given me everything in the whole world. They have taught me so many things and almost everyday I find myself doing this just how they would. I must say it was hard being the Guinea pig but it has truly shaped me for the person I am today. I find it funny to see how things have changed. Dont worry I'll keep reminding them how HORRIBLE( wink) I had it.