Anyone with siblings knows that being a big sister, or being a big brother is a full-time job minus the sick days and vacation time. They know the struggle of simultaneously being a role model and their partner in crime. In the argument of having a little sister versus a little brother, I can only completely vouch for one. Having a little brother is a unique experience in itself; it takes responsibility, and patience, and a whole lot of compromise. No two brothers are the same, this is true, but there are definitely some universal truths to mastering the art of having a little brother.
1. Say Goodbye To Peace and Quiet
It’s no secret that little brothers know exactly how to make some noise, a notion that stays with them until adulthood. Before them you lived the life of an only child, then suddenly there’s screaming, and crying, and running, and throwing, and falling. From the minute they come home from the hospital they’re getting themselves into trouble. Even as they get older, it doesn’t get much better. They never seem to tire out, or keep clean.
Even when they hit puberty and substitute the Legos and the Hot Wheels for video games, you’re left to deal with on screen police chases, and gun shots, and loud background music. There’s no escaping it, so you learn to embrace it until you’re comforted by the sound of revving engines and police sirens, and you can’t fall asleep without the sound of his music – that you can hear all the way across the hall and through your closed door.
2. All Toys Are Gender-Neutral If You Try Hard Enough
There’s no such thing as boundaries when it comes to toys. You came first, so odds are you had a head start at your toy collection. As a result, there are more “girl toys” around the house, so he’ll have to get creative. Not to fear, because as it turns out your Barbie’s jeep doubles wonderfully as a race car and your Polly Pocket dream house can be easily refurnished as his army men’s headquarters.
This will go both ways though, meaning the guest list to your tea parties includes more action figures than dolls and the best reading material can be found under your brother's bed, in the pages of his favorite comic books.
3. He’ll Inherit All Your Extensive Knowledge
As an older sister, there are many important lessons you’ll have to opportunity to pass down. But before you can do that, there are different things your little brother is going to have to learn. He’ll learn all the names of every member of your favorite boy band, he’ll know who the cutest boy in your class is and who’s crushing on who, he’ll receive gruelling fashion advice before he can even dress himself, and he’ll probably be too comfortable with pads and tampons for a fourth grader.
4. You Have Your Own Language
I don’t mean you literally speak a different language, though that is sometimes the case, I mean that you develop different forms of communication that aren’t limited to the use of actual words. From grunting to say hello, to making faces when you’re annoyed, to having a different look reserved for special occasions (like when he starts to share a little too much with your parents), to simply finding your favorite movie on Netflix when he knows your upset. Having in-depth conversations becomes harder as you begin to experience different stages of life, so you find ways to still get your message across.
5. He May Be Young, But He Is Mighty
It will never matter that he’s younger, he’ll still be the best backup you have. He’s not afraid to defend you in front of your parents, he’ll threaten to fight your friends when you’re on bad terms, and he’ll definitely be the one to open the door when your date picks you up despite being a head shorter. It’s hard to tell who’s older, especially when he gets overprotective. It’s all the perks of having a big brother, while still getting to be bossy.
6. Part Time Little Brother, Full Time Best Friend
Through the mood swings, the tantrums, the constant fighting over the bathroom, the wars for the remote, and the empty threats to tell on each other, he’s never given up on you. He’s the first person to knock on the door when you refuse to leave your room, the first to take the fall for you so you don’t get grounded, and the first to steal the food you don’t like off your plate before your mom sees.
He’s the first person you want to call when something cool happens, even if it’s just a movie you want to show him when you get home. He’s your biggest fan and constant support system. He may not know a world without a big sister, but you know just how much better your world got the minute he came into it.
