When I was 12, my mom sat me down and told me the shocking news that I would be having another sibling. At that age, and being the youngest child, I wasn’t ready to not be the baby anymore. I still wanted all the undivided attention and I knew this was going to have a major impact on the family. What I didn’t realize was how big of an impact my little sister was going to have on me personally. Throughout the years, my little sister has taught me so many things that I will always be able to carry with me along the way.
1. How to be a role model.
My little sister has looked up to me for as long as I can remember. She grew up watching me play sports and graduating high school. She helped my parents send me off to college and now she cannot wait for me to visit home to watch her play softball and pass all of her classes with flying colors. Seeing her follow in my footsteps made me realize just how much she looks up to me and this helps guide me to make better decisions for myself knowing that she is watching me and learning from what I do.
2. How to be more caring.
There isn’t another human on this planet that can teach me to have more compassion than my little sister. She is so innocent and caring to every single person she comes across and that really opened my eyes up to how we should always treat others we meet along the way because we never truly know what they’re going through. I’m so glad that she has been there to show me how important that is.
3. How to negotiate with our parents.
I thought that I had it made growing up, but my sister has created a whole new level of “spoiled.” I find myself wondering exactly how she gets away with things sometimes. Every now and then I ask for some helpful tips and she is hesitant about giving away the critical secret.
4. How to be mom.
When your sister is 12 years younger than you, you earn the responsibility of becoming a professional baby sitter. I had the privilege of helping my parents with my little sister and it taught me a few lessons on being responsible and how to help care for another human life.
5. How to be productive.
I never thought that I would need to be protective over anyone until my little sister came along. I just want to put her under my arm and keep her away from all the cruelties in the world. I never want her to experience bullying or teasing to any level and just thinking about it makes me want to call and check up on her to make sure everything is right in her world.
6. How to let go.
Little sisters don’t know what it means to hold a grudge, which is why they are the perfect person to go to when you’re feeling down. My little sister has helped me numerous times when I feel like I could just break down and cry. She is always suggesting that we play board games every time I visit home and I never noticed how much it really helps me to relax and forget all of my troubles. Maybe this has to do with the fact that she has watched Frozen only a couple thousand times. Let it go.
7. How to be an awesome big sister.
Of all the life lessons, my mini-me has taught me, the best by far is how to be an awesome big sister and I think she would agree that I should receive an award or something for just how awesome I have been.
