As the “eldest boy” of my family, I always felt I was the best athlete because, as you pointed out, numbers said so and I worked my butt off. But I feel like sports came easier (? I’m not sure what word I’m looking for there) to each of my younger brothers. Maybe because they started playing the “right way” at a younger age? Especially my brother who is seven years younger — he wanted so badly to play with me and my friends so it’s almost like he willed himself to a place athletically at a younger age that I never thought to do.
I already see a similar dynamic between my girls. My two year old can do some things athletically that my four year old took much longer to learn. But she wants to play with her older sister and the older sibling isn’t going to play by their rules.
Younger siblings just seem to be able to tap into the intrinsic drive at a deeper level and a younger age because the alternative is being left behind. Older siblings maybe don’t have that pressure to succeed.
These are all random thoughts. Thanks for article, it was an interesting read!
Appreciate your comment, Colin. I want to be careful not to present it as applicable to all but the numbers due shake out and the rationale makes a lot of sense.
"Your team is ass" cracked me up. This is really interesting and makes a ton of sense.
Ha, that seems to be a leader in current tween/teen vernacular.
As the “eldest boy” of my family, I always felt I was the best athlete because, as you pointed out, numbers said so and I worked my butt off. But I feel like sports came easier (? I’m not sure what word I’m looking for there) to each of my younger brothers. Maybe because they started playing the “right way” at a younger age? Especially my brother who is seven years younger — he wanted so badly to play with me and my friends so it’s almost like he willed himself to a place athletically at a younger age that I never thought to do.
I already see a similar dynamic between my girls. My two year old can do some things athletically that my four year old took much longer to learn. But she wants to play with her older sister and the older sibling isn’t going to play by their rules.
Younger siblings just seem to be able to tap into the intrinsic drive at a deeper level and a younger age because the alternative is being left behind. Older siblings maybe don’t have that pressure to succeed.
These are all random thoughts. Thanks for article, it was an interesting read!
Appreciate your comment, Colin. I want to be careful not to present it as applicable to all but the numbers due shake out and the rationale makes a lot of sense.