Having a sibling can be tough. You grew up with someone constantly teasing you, arguing with you and getting on your nerves. However, no matter how frustrating your sibling can get, there are so many benefits to having grown up with a sometimes-obnoxious counterpart. Here are just a few of the many reasons that it is important to thank your annoying siblings:
1. You've learned to choose your battles wisely.
It is inevitable for siblings to fight. After all, living with anyone for 18 years of your life is not easy. However, everyone with an annoying sibling eventually learned that it’s not okay for World War III to break out each time you caught them going into your room without permission. Having an irritating brother or sister probably taught you to choose which battles were actually worth your time.
2. They taught you to forgive and forget.
Let’s be real here--there are things that your sibling has done to you in the distant past that you’re still salty about (shout out to my brother for almost drowning me in our grandparent’s pool over a diving ring 10 years ago), but siblings are capable of learning from their mistakes. It’s important to be on good terms with the people you care about most, so chances are that if you had a sibling that constantly frustrated you, you're now a very forgiving person.
3. You seemed angelic compared to your sister or brother.
When your sibling played with fire, ate on the couch they were told not to eat on a million times or didn’t clean their room, it made you look like a superstar. There’s a good reason that my brother and I are nicknamed "the good one" and "the evil one."
4. You learned to be patient.
There’s only so many times you can scream at your brother or sister for being a "know-it-all" or to decide who gets to sit shotgun in the car. After growing up with a sibling that got on your nerves each day, you have probably learned to be patient and to resolve your conflicts without screaming until your face turns blue.
5. Your sibling inspires you to be strong and perseverant.
While sometimes your irritating sibling may be able to argue for longer than you ever thought possible, it is only because they have such a strong sense of perseverance. When your bro or sis wasn’t arguing with you, their endless energy was put into pursuing the things they love with great determination. It is exciting and empowering to watch someone you’re related to have such drive that will take them on to do great things, and you know you'll always be your sibling's biggest fan.
6. You’ve learned to love wholly and unconditionally.
If anyone else had sprayed hair detangler on my toothbrush as a little kid as many times as my sibling did, I would be bound to hate their guts forever. However, despite all the injustices your siblings have committed against you in the past, it’s impossible not to count down the days until you come home from college and see them.
7. They have forgiven you when you (rarely) have bothered them.
Not every “good child” is perfect. We forget to clean the hair out of the shower drain, we blame minor offenses on our siblings, and we usually get our way when there is a dispute. All of us good kids know what it’s like to be annoyed, and how difficult it can be to be civil to a person who gets on our last nerve. Thanks for putting up with us, irritating brothers and sisters.
8. You know that when you’re upset, they’ll always use their boundless energy to cheer you up.
As obnoxious as your sibling may be, there is nothing that would stop them from trying to make you smile when you’re down. Whether you were upset by a fight with your friends or a bad grade on a test, you know your sibling will always be down to have a good talk (or Netflix binge) until you’re feeling better.
9. Your sibling is your best friend.
Despite all the havoc that your sibling may have wreaked on your life, you know that they will always be right by your side no matter what. When it comes down to it, all the qualities that make your sibling so irritating probably also make them an amazing companion. So, although you may not do this often, take the time to tell your annoying sibling how much you love having them as your built-in best friend (and do it soon, so they don't do something annoying to ruin the moment).
