Written for today’s NaPoWriMo prompt (http://www.napowrimo.net/2014/04/day-sixteen/) and for today’s Daily Post prompt (https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/only-sixteen/).
Life at sixteen was very different for me compared to my friends. At first there were only five in my house (my mother, older sister, younger sister, younger brother and me) then my second eldest sister, who was pregnant at the time, moved back in with her two small children (toddlers, one could walk…sort of). This was only slightly strange for me because I was used to lots of people in the house (I am six of eight), but I was used to being amongst the youngest group, not the eldest.
I’d never really had a curfew before that and the only reason we had one after was because sound carried in our house. If you came home and were just slightly too loud, you woke the children (and eventually, the baby) which would then wake the whole house. No one was happy about that so it was decided by all that a curfew for everyone would be set and it would be enforced by the fact that if you woke the children up (one or all three) then you had to put them to sleep by yourself. (It was considered fair by everyone.)
Life has never been the same since, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Breathing In 
What a great post and glimpse into your past! Sounds like you started off young to live in harmony with your family at a time you could have been pretty selfish and upset. No wonder you are so caring and generous today…you followed in you mom’s footsteps. I love the stories of you and your family.
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Thank you! My elder siblings were there for me, I could do nothing less. As you said, it’s what Mom taught us.
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