can someone answer an older/elder and oldest/eldest question for me please?

[Tommy]

I am trying to write a letter talking about the older (elder?) children in a family. Anyone know what the rule is here? I want to say that the older children go to this school but the younger goes to another school. Is it older or elder?

TIA

Older, or eldest.

ah - so it's not the same for both then? Thanks - that would be why elder didn't seem right but eldest did!

Thanks

How many children do you have:

younger is for the younger of two comparatively (say DC3 compared to DC2)

Youngest is the most youthful in the family (DC3 compared to DC1 and 2)

Elder (poss older - they seem to be interchangeable) is the elder of two compartively

Eldest (oldest isn't a word apparently) is the firstborn in a family of more than 2

How many children do you have:

younger is for the younger of two comparatively (say DC3 compared to DC2)

Youngest is the most youthful in the family (DC3 compared to DC1 and 2)

Elder (poss older - they seem to be interchangeable) is the elder of two compartively

Eldest (oldest isn't a word apparently) is the firstborn in a family of more than 2

so, in a fanily of 4, I could say "the older sisters go to X school and the youngest child goes to Y" ?

or even a family