Sadia Muddassir Week 15: When Things Change

When you are a kid there are times and moments you face that stick with you as the most 'historical' events, things that seem to change your life and alter your own little world. One of those significant events, not surprisingly, is the birth of your sibling. It is not an event worth a national holiday or anything but for a child it is the most significant thing to happen. When you are the first born child, you are used to being the center of everything. For example, you get all the 'firsts': first steps, first words...and if you are the youngest, that is a different story. But being a middle child is not as bad as it is. 

I vaguely remember when my younger sister was born, the excitement in the family, my grandparents, relatives, family all gathered. I did not dream to be an older sister, or wish to be the youngest I wanted to stay where I was. I was excited when people asked me "Are you excited to be an older sister?" like I had been promoted to like an older status, and honestly I was. I could now 'act' like I was the oldest, not that it lasted, but it still worked. 

The thing about being in the middle comes with its own perks, just as its downsides. Strangely I don't remember much from before she was born, as many of my earliest memories include her. I guess that is how it works, life shift, new memories are created. It does not include specific and clean records of what happened first or how things were before. It's like trying to figure out how you became best friends with someone. You don't remember the process or the change yet you remember the person, your memory holds on to the people and feelings. 


Works Cited: 
“Missing what you'll never notice.” Google.com, 2018, www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstillstandingmag.com%2F2018%2F09%2F18%2Fsibling-grief-missing-what-youve-never-known%2F&psig=AOvVaw3TcgN-_fFahlplM8YRpUhm&ust=1744950965332000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCMjmpomf3owDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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Comments

  1. Shreya PanathulaApril 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM

    Hello, Sadia! I completely relate to the fact that one of the most historical moments in your life is often when your sibling is born. As an older sister myself, I truly do understand the superiority complex that comes with being called older, as you start to be seemingly treated more differently or with more respect and responsibility. Yet, when you mentioned how you often do not remember events before the birth of your sister, I had to double back and think about it for myself for a second. It made me pause and come to the surprising realization that I honestly cannot think of a time before my brother, either. It is truly fascinating to see how memory warps with age, time, and evolving beliefs.

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  2. Kaden KhauApril 30, 2025 at 8:11 PM

    Hi Sadia! I could closely relate to your blog, but instead, I am the younger sibling in my family. When I was young, it was like you described, being the center of attention and everything shifted. But as I grew up, I came to see that when I talked to my older brother about me being born, he said it was cool at first, but growing up made it worse on him because he was the role model to me and didn't have anyone to rely on. I can see his point of view because during family gathering, he is usually asked more questions about his life since he's experienced more and is in college. I wish I could've seen the troubles he had to go through being to first to do everything in the family. You blog really introduced to me the life my brother had before I was born and struggles he had to go through growing up. Thank you for sharing!

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  3. Leila AlabedApril 30, 2025 at 9:50 PM

    Hey, Sadia! I wholeheartedly relate to this blog as a middle child myself and I would agree that being in the middle definitely comes with perks. Many people may consider middle children to be overlooked or not as important as the first born or the baby of the family, however, I think that the middle children are actually the glue of the family in a way, keeping everyone together. I was quite young when my younger brother was born, so I do not remember much of how I felt, but I can remember that I was extremely excited to be a big sister, similar to how you felt with your sibling. I am forever grateful for my siblings and the close bond we share, which is why I have no complaints being a middle child! This blog was heartfelt and interesting, keep up the amazing work!

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