From hand-me-downs to spending time together, many children with older siblings realize they have something special.

Growing up with an older brother or sister, or two, can be both a learning and chaotic experience.

And sometimes siblings are not close in age. Having siblings who are much older is known as an age gap.

Such a gap is easily detected in Saje Dyer’s family.

Dyer is 17 and a junior at Spanish River High School. She is the youngest of eight siblings. Her brothers and sisters are ages 19, 21, 23, 25, 30, 31 and 38.

Each of her siblings is experiencing something different at this point in life, from college, to parenthood, to carving out careers.

“I loved growing up with all of my older siblings,” Dyer said. “When I was younger and everyone was still living at home, there was never a dull moment.”

Dyer said living with her siblings was like living with a bunch of best friends. These days, they try to see each other often and cherish the time they have together.

Dyer learned from her siblings’ mistakes and knew the consequences that would follow if she broke any rules.

“It was nice to have all of them break the ice. My parents definitely became more relaxed as they raised more and more kids,” she said.

Dyer said the best part about having older siblings is that she can look up to and learn from each of them.

“When I was younger, I always wanted to play sports because my older brother Sands did, and Sommer taught me to have a real passion for horseback riding,” she said. “I still take my sisters’ advice on what to wear and how to do my makeup.”

Dyer said that, despite the age gap, she can relate to all of her siblings. She said as they get older, their similarities become more apparent, whether it be their personalities or their looks.

“I love my siblings more than anything in the world and cannot imagine what life would possibly be like without any of them,” she said.

Laura Elkman, another Spanish River High student, also has an age gap in her family. She is 18 and has two sisters, ages 24 and 29, as well as a brother who is 27.

“I loved having older siblings, but sometimes I wished that we were closer in age. I would like to have spent more time with all of them before they moved out for college,” Elkman said.

Like Dyer, Elkman said her favorite part about having older siblings was being able to view their mistakes and avoid them, as well as follow their successful paths.

“They have already been through what I am going through now. They are always there for me in some way, no matter what the circumstance is,” she said.

“Having older brothers and sisters in your corner who have been where you are going is a great thing,” Elkman said.