5 Things All Older Sisters Should Know About Their Little Brothers | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

5 Things All Older Sisters Should Know About Their Little Brothers

70
5 Things All Older Sisters Should Know About Their Little Brothers

Sibling relationships are complicated. The same person that laughs at you when you trip and hurt yourself also hugs you when you need it most. But there's something a little different about having a little brother, and although it's hard to describe (as all sibling relationships are), you'll know if you have one. Maybe you'll even learn a little about him too; I know I did.

1. You're the role model.

Did you know that older siblings tend to have higher blood pressure? The worst part about having a little brother is that he is so annoying sometimes. And when I try to tell my parents, all they do is say, "It's just because he loves you". For a long time I thought that wasn't a valid excuse, but over the years I've come to see what "he loves you" actually means. Being an older sibling in general means that you go through everything first; first day of every school, SATs, college applications, etc. I would know much about firsts, because I'm also the first grandchild. So basically, the younger siblings and cousins look at what I've been through, use the knowledge that I've learned, and apply it to their own lives. I've only been in college for a few months, and I've already dished out plenty of expert advice on the college process, because I've been through it. Sometimes it's a lot of pressure, having to set a good example for my little brother, because every mistake I make, he subconsciously takes into account. But then I realize, I've never had to live up to the expectations of my older sibling and actually have to make an effort to be my own person. Of course, I know plenty about expectations and effort, but sometimes having a guidebook makes it harder to figure things out for yourself. So when my parents say he's interrupting my homework because "he loves me", he's not just trying to piss me off for the heck of it, he's really just looking for a type of guidance that I never had. Lucky.

2. You share a bond stronger than sharing clothes.

For brother/sister relationships, sharing clothes is a one way street most of the time (I took a couple T-shirts to college with me), but sharing moments is about as mutual as it gets. When it comes to siblings, I experience emotions with a twist. When I'm really angry at my brother, it's a type of anger that I know is short-lived, even though in the moment I don't want it to be. When we make fun of each other, we both know the limit that separates kidding and seriousness. When I'm sad, he either knows how to make me feel better or worse, and I usually end up laughing in the end.

3. You get another perspective, take advantage of it.

We might look alike, but we are completely different. But being different is good, because then you both have separate interests, and nobody competes to see who is better (okay, maybe sometimes). A little brother can also understand and interpret different situations very differently, which not only allows you to observe how he thinks, but how his thinking differs from yours. And that's always a good skill to have.

4. Seek your little brother's approval isn't a bad thing.

Believe it or not, I've found myself trying to impress my little brother on the occasion. I want to seem cool enough that he can hang out with me and be one of my best friends, and because he's that way in to how a guy thinks (I think some of us could use a little of that). I want him to think that he can tell me his secrets so that I can tell him mine. There are a lot of things I want him to think about me. And one of them is not that I don't care what he thinks.

5. They understand you better than you think they do. And vice versa.

It probably has to do with the fact that you have the same blood. Somehow, no matter what you've been through, siblings always know, because they would probably react in a similar way. I admire characteristics in my little brother that I don't have as much of, like his patience, and the fact that he is there to even out my stubbornness has really helped me in the past. We know how to help each other out, and we always will, just because we know we'd do the same thing for the other.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

145385
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

35724
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

31760
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments