Sibling Rivalry
Sibling rivalry is common. It doesn’t matter if you have brothers or sisters, at some point you have probably been frustrated and felt like you were competing with each other. For some, sibling rivalry may only be a small thing, like perhaps you and your sibling get competitive over a video game. For others, sibling rivalry may be more sinister and deep-seated, like thoughts of one sibling being ‘the favourite child’.
So how do we deal with sibling rivalry? Having a healthy relationship with your siblings and with yourself seems to be the most important thing. However, this can be hard, especially when you are under the same roof. Sometimes, small things can make you frustrated and overreact. Your brother ate most of the dinner and didn’t leave you much when you got home from training, and all of a sudden this is more reason that he’s egotistical and selfish (instead of hungry and having made an innocent mistake). How do we overcome these habitual thoughts and grievances? Although Step Brothers was hilarious, it is probably not the best place to turn for guidance.
What are your experiences with sibling rivalry? How do you cope? What do you say to yourself and how do you keep a healthy relationship? Personally, I would suggest keeping everything in perspective and staying patient. For example, rating the level of importance from 1 (not important) – 10 (most important thing ever) can be really helpful. However, there are probably and million and one suggestions out there, and many more effective ones!
Join in this Monday (23rd June) to talk about sibling rivalry and share your thoughts, experiences, and strategies for maintaining a healthy relationship. Although sibling rivalry is common, there are likely a ton of individual differences and little idiosyncrasies. It would be great to hear your thoughts and to learn from each other about such a common but important issue!
@tsnyder yeah I do, except for the older one I see most of them at least once a week.
@Ben-RO yeah double digits!
Q2: Our relationships with our family can really vary at times. What is your relationship like with your siblings?
I have a really solid foundation with my brothers. The relationships were rocky at times when we were younger, especially between my brothers, but they've improved as we've gotten older. Although we don't always see eye-to-eye, we are best mates. I'm really fortunate for that
@N1ghtW1ng they are all at good ages, between 6 and 16, so they are children, which is heaps of fun!!
Our relationships with our family can really vary at times. What is your relationship like with your siblings?
It's rather complicated, basically my relationship with them is very good. When I was younger I looked after them but then we lost contact when everything happened and it was less than 2 years ago started seeing them again and it's like nothing ever happened, like we were together the whole time, I felt like I fit right in. The relationship with my brother who is the oldest of the 8 is pretty good, I've spoken about it a lot on here, he's a pain but also 16 so go figure...
@j95 yeah, 16 is a pretty intense time in any human brain. There's a lot going on that's brand new, it all happens at once and basically yeah, it gets better with time!
Boarding was one of the best things that's ever happened in my life @tsnyder. It's probably not for everybody, but for me it was perfect (especially as i was 16 at the time).
And yeah we're waaaayyy closer. I kind of have a theorey that if you put anyone in a confined space for a long time you'll probably start getting a bit ticked off at them, maybe it's part of evolution, birds get kicked out of the nest by their parents when they're ready to fly (because otherwise they'd stay in there forever) Maybe we get ticked off at our siblings for the same reason? I have no scientific evidence to back up this theorey 😛
@j95 it sounds like you're the leader of the pack then? They must look up to you!
Haha agreed @N1ghtW1ng friends that are like siblings are easier to get along with too as they go home and leave you alone at least every few days 😛
I know I shouldn't complain, but to be honest, things are different for every person and I have every right to be annoyed at my siblings, and to be done with their nonsense.
10 @j95! We have a winner! By the way, good to have you here!
Do you keep in contact with most of them?
Do you have any siblings? If not, are there people that are a lot like siblings to you?
Yep! I've got three of them plus a bunch of friends that have been close to my family for so long that sometimes i forget we're not related.
