Why does the youngest child get away with everything?
Question: Why does the youngest child get away with everything?
Answer:
The phenomenon of the youngest child “getting away with everything” is a common observation in family dynamics that has both psychological and practical explanations. Parents often become more relaxed and confident in their parenting abilities by the time their last child arrives, having learned from their experiences with older siblings. This naturally results in a more lenient approach, where parents are less likely to enforce strict rules or worry about every minor infraction.
The youngest child also benefits from having older siblings who have already pushed boundaries and challenged parental authority. These older siblings essentially paved the way for more permissive treatment, as parents have already adjusted their expectations and realized that certain behaviors or situations aren’t as serious as they initially thought.
Additionally, older siblings often take on protective or semi-parental roles, further shielding the youngest from parental scrutiny and consequences.
By the time the youngest child reaches various developmental stages, parents are often more financially secure, emotionally mature, and simply more tired. They’ve learned to pick their battles and may feel less compelled to maintain the same strict standards they held for their firstborn.
The youngest child also tends to remain the “baby” of the family regardless of age, which can result in continued protective treatment and special allowances even as they grow older. This combination of factors creates the perfect storm for what older siblings often perceive as preferential treatment or “getting away with everything.”
