Remember the time you and your sibling did something so crazy that put you both stuck on house chores for a month? Aside from mom and dad’s initial freak out and the scolding that seemed to never end, you and your sibling wouldn’t trade a moment like that for the world. You both look back at these fun experiences growing up and it always ends or starts with the words: We were so dumb.
Moments like that are kept in a precious section of your mind. You love taking a peak into those memories every time the going gets rough. It’s so special that it’s almost like magic – making you instantly overcome with laughter and joy that puts all the stress in your world on hold. What’s even better is how you have the rest of your life to create more memories with your sibling – ones that feed your spirit and drive it with strength.
If that’s not enough to appreciate your brother or sister, here’s why having a sibling is a huge advantage.
It’s quite unique how you both click. You can practically read each other’s minds. The telepathic messages or “the” glare always helped you two get out of trouble. You don’t have a bond like this with anyone else – not even your best friend.
Mom and dad had nothing on your tag team growing up. It was all for one and one for all when it came to the decisions you both made. If one had a risky plan, the other supported it with all hands on deck. Having each other’s back comes naturally for the two of you.
In a 2014 study published in the Journal of Research On Adolescence, researchers found that a sibling relationship helps you develop sympathy, which creates positive social behaviors like sharing with others. The reason why you’re not selfish is all thanks to your sibling.
Remember all the times your sibling helped break the ice for you? You two always came up with a plan beforehand and when that “help me!” text was sent, your sibling quickly came to your rescue. This especially helped during all the times you needed to be saved from the creepy guys trying to talk to you at parties.
According to Pyschologies, the relationship with your sibling shapes your history and character throughout your entire life. When you were down, your sibling pushed you to keep going. There was no such thing as giving up in each other’s eyes. You allowed one another to set standards and never settle for anything lower than that. In turn, this helped your mental and emotional health.
It seems like the mistakes made by your friends didn’t impact you that much. It opened your eyes during certain situations, but it never affected you. However, when it came to your sibling’s mistakes – it felt like a rock hitting you in the stomach. When your sibling suffered from the repercussion and effects from his or her mistakes, you suffered too. This allowed both of you to grow together.
In an interview done by Pyschologies with Dr. Terri Apter, child psychologist and author of The Sister Knot, Dr.Apter said, “If you ask a sibling to describe a parent, a friend or a sibling, it is the sibling that the child will describe with most sophistication and detail, in terms of their character and habits.” Having someone who admires you and speaks greatly of you is a significant person to have in your life.
Your sibling teaches you the importance of relationships and the love that embodies it. The relationship comes with trials and tribulations, but the promotion of affection keeps the energy alive. Throughout all the stressors in life, your sibling is there to help you fight the battle until all the noise turns into a little rattle. Your sibling is an advantage – a huge one.
