Having a big family has advantages and disadvantages, and that comes to no one’s surprise.

On one hand, when you grow up with a lot of siblings, you always have someone to lean on. You’re never alone, always have friends, and you take care of each other, make sure no one gets left behind. In large families, this comradery is irreplaceable and extremely unique, so you learn to appreciate it.

On the other hand, the bigger the family, the harder it is for you to feel special, or appreciated. It’s easy to get lost among all your siblings and feel like you’re not really getting the attention you deserve, especially from your parents. There’s also an extra level of challenge for the older siblings in large families because they are often forced to take on a more parental role and help their parents by raising their own siblings.

That’s why I firmly believe that when parents want to grow their family, the older children should get a say in the matter, something the daughters in the story below did not get.