Coming from a family of ten- two hard working parents and eight siblings- all with different likes, dislikes, personalities, has taught me the value of diversity, and importance of compromise. My parents have experienced it all when it comes to raising children. Growing up I got extra attention, more freedom, and fewer rules because my parents have relaxed by the time I’ve come along.

I was often left in the care of different siblings depending on who was available to take care of me. I’d go on adventures with my brothers and movie nights with my sisters. However, I was also faced with many challenges; being in my siblings' shadows. No matter if it was my good-behaved sibling or my bad-behaved sibling I was always just, “So and so’s little sister”. I was always compared to one or the other, it didn’t matter if I was as good at sports, or a delinquent. I slowly started drifting away from their shadows as I got older, and became my own person. But as I entered high school, the challenges grew bigger. My parents started comparing me to my older siblings' wrongdoings and successes, “Don’t be like ___”, or, “Be successful like ___”. The pressure got worse. I had so many expectations I didn’t even know were possible, it felt like I had a road map for my life because of their experiences.

However, I used these expectations to my advantage, to encourage me to become better than my siblings. These expectations gave me the courage to become what some of my siblings couldn’t: a straight A student, resilient, and adaptable. I learned to follow in the footsteps of the ones who achieved success and stay away from the ones who haven’t. My siblings became my biggest support group, giving me courage to step out of my comfort zone and achieve greater things.

© Jessika. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.