For those of us that have them, we know very well that there are upsides to having siblings and there are also times when we feel like fighting with them. Whether you enjoy having siblings or not, they will always be there. Many siblings’ dynamics are extremely different from one another. Here are some things that come out of having siblings that are apparent in all cases of sibling-hood:
1. Tough love is the best love.
Siblings that grew up together often know each other to an extreme tee. Usually your siblings are able to tell when something is different. Your everyday habits are engraved in the way their day goes. Therefore, your sibling is most likely able to tell if you like someone, had a bad day, or just need to be alone before you do. A good sibling is able to tell the difference between what you need. Sometimes shooting crap is just what you might have needed and other times you may need more in depth and meaningful help with something. Whatever the case is, tough love always comes around to a mutual respect or at least that's what I have experienced.
2. Physical Comparison
It is incredibly hard to introduce my brother to someone that I know and not have them say something about whether we look alike or not. This is the case with many siblings. Depending on what kind of siblings you are, you either refute the comment every time in disbelief or confirm the fact that you look similar with a small sense of pride. Eventually, after people get to know you and your siblings more, they make comparisons in your idiosyncrasies and habits. The number one rule that I think most siblings make is that if you so happen to be twinning, one has to change their clothes. I have done this myself with my brother as well. For some reason it creates a co-identity among the people that know you and can sometimes even take away your sense of individualism.
3. The Favorite Child
A family confession that we are always awaiting is finding out who the favorite child of the parents is. Some parents will deny that the favorite child is even a thing while others know it perfectly well. In all seriousness parents love all of their children each in a different way. What may seem like love from a parent doesn't always get received as love. Going back to the important things will lead us back to tough love being the best love in the end. To those of you that aren't the "Favorite Child", just know that you may thrive in a different way such as being more independent from your parents advice and guidance. We aren't all the same so why would we all want to be the same thing. Be proud of whatever role you take and make it your own.
