Sibling rivalries have occurred since the beginning of time. Whether it is who is older, who is more athletic, who is smarter or who is taller—almost every category can be turned into a sibling rivalry. As an older sibling with one younger brother, I can attest to the daily sibling rivalries. However, while siblings might fight, there are many special aspects of being the oldest sibling.
In my opinion, a special aspect of being the oldest sibling is being able to guide your younger sibling from making the same mistakes as you did. While this might be about trivial things such as what classes to take and with what teachers, it can also be about more important life decisions. Since I have already done most of the things my brother is currently doing, I feel almost as if it is my responsibility to guide him in the right direction.
While no one ever explicitly stated to me that this was my responsibility, it is something I have taken upon myself to bestow my knowledge on him. While some people may view this as a burden, I view this as a very special aspect of being the older sibling. In doing so, my younger sibling has the ability to rely on me to guide him in times of need.
Another special aspect of being the older sibling is that the younger sibling, without knowing it, serves as a source of positivity for the older sibling. This might be confusing, but here is my logic. Whenever I am having a bad day, I call my family. When I am discussing my problems with my younger sibling, he cannot relate as his life problems are far less significant than mine.
Thus, he allows me to vent, relax and does not offer advice on the situation as he has yet to experience it. Essentially, he does not add stress to my already stressful situation. Furthermore, when it is my turn to ask him what is wrong, he tells me his problems. However, his problems seem minuscule and immediately make me feel better. In my opinion, it is pretty special that, without realizing it, my younger sibling can have such a positive impact on my day.
Lastly, one of the most special aspects of being the oldest sibling is having the ability to watch your younger sibling grow and evolve. There is nothing more exciting than coming home from college, looking at your younger sibling and noticing how much they have grown physically. However, within 20 minutes of being in their presence, it is also clear how much they have grown as a person.
Think about it; with the older sibling gone at college, the younger sibling is bound to evolve and change. Not only do you have more to talk about with your sibling, but your conversations become more mature. It is truly amazing to watch your younger sibling grow up and figure life out.
