Siblings – the definition that comprises love, strife, competition, and forever friends.
Byron Pulsifer
Most of us will think that siblings are the most notorious and cunning enemy one could ever have. For many of us, they can be the definition of extremely annoying people. Even though many times we want to live in peace without them, but quite often we also appreciate the times we spend with them. This feeling truly comes from and within the heart. It is exactly the base foundation of a special bond – ‘Sibling Bond’, which is wanted and unwanted (by the most), yet so special because it gives us joys no other bond can. Siblings are those who are always there, fighting with you over the last piece of cake, annoying you while you are enjoying your favourite book, asking you weird questions, and texting stupid things to your friends. But siblings are the ones whom your heart beats for.
Perks of Having Siblings
1. They are Your Biggest Motivation
Siblings become the source of your motivation. When you see them getting the first prize in sports or being appreciated for some achievements or talents they have, you want to be like them and reach your goals. There’s always a healthy competition between siblings, which makes the sibling bond even more fun. There will be hardships, competition, urge to get further above, and all this motivation comes from having siblings.
2. Unconditional Love
Although siblings are like your biggest enemy, you also get to feel their unconditional love. Family love is all about bonding. With siblings, you can automatically understand the true meaning of family. You can feel their love when they bring you a warm cup of milk when you are sick in bed or crack funny jokes to make your mood better, or even when they give you a warm hug.
3. They are Your Crime Partners
Remember the time when you would team up with your siblings to sneak food at night, trying not to make any noise so that you can avoid the rebuke from your parents. Or, when you suck at your math test and have to bargain with your siblings so they will not disclose it. They will always be your partners in crime. You can enjoy the joyous and adventurous life with them.
4. They Always Look Out for You
Siblings understand you even more than your parents because they are in the same environment as you. They know why you are worried, annoyed, or frustrated. At times, when you feel down, they will be your moral and emotional support. You know you can always rely on them.
5. They are Your First Mentors
We start learning when we are born. Our siblings are the first and most precious mentors we have. They are the ones who teach us how to deal with annoying people and have patience. We even learn how to deal with tough situations, invasion of space, and weird behaviours. Your first guide is your siblings.
Minor Side Effects of Having Siblings
1. Siblings Rivalry
With a loving sibling bond comes to the most dangerous yet vital thing called “Siblings Rivalry.” Although disputes, conflicts, and feuds sometimes seem to be a World War, the effects are never long-lasting. These fights usually start over some broken study table, snatching the remote control or even a pen worth a few pennies. Studies have shown that siblings are more likely to fight every ten minutes they are together. These conflicts as well arise from positive envy.
2. A Constant Struggle for Parent’s Favor
We do whatever we can to draw our parents’ attention towards us. With more siblings, it automatically becomes a challenge. Because someone is always smart or funny or athletic, parents exacerbate these situations. As gender equality starts at home, parents should also not exhibit favouritism.
3. They are Compared
People around us love to compare everyone with their so-called standards. When you have a sibling, who is better in sports, academic and is also a responsible one, you hear all the criticism in the world, especially when you are a middle or younger sibling.
4. They Misuse Each Other
Siblings take advantage of each other’s weaknesses and secrets. And because of those, you have to do certain tasks for them. It might be an advantage if you are not the one being misused. But it is just another spark in the wonderful sibling bond.
My Perspective
Being an elder sister to three younger siblings, I would say that no matter how much they annoy me or get fed up by me, we will always be that loving, loyal, caring, brawling unit. I think that life without siblings is boring and essentially lifeless.
