The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Only children don't know how good they had things...or how bad, depending on how your relationship with your siblings was on any given day. Either way, growing up with siblings is an emotional rollercoaster. Whether you were the oldest, middle, or youngest you'll probably relate to these 20 realities.
1. Reputations Preceded You
Reputations aren't just for celebrities. If you had an older sibling you probably went through life living in their shadow, always being "so-and-so's younger sibling". Or, rarely, if you had a younger sibling who was a hellion, people probably braced for impact upon meeting you.
2. Comparisons Were Inevitable
"Why can't you be more like your sibling?" was a common refrain in your house. Even if your parents didn't realize how hurtful these comparisons could be, they made them anyway. As adults, you're probably still comparing your lives to see who comes out on top.
3. Closeness Bred Competition
All those comparisons led to a fierce competitive spirit. If you couldn't be the first to do something (largely due to age), you had to be the best. Long after you've moved out of your parents' house, you probably still have a competitive streak.
4. Babysitters Were A Myth
Babysitters were about as real as the tooth fairy. There was no need to pay one of the neighborhood teens a couple bucks to watch over you while your parents were out when there was an older sibling to exploit. And, if you were that older sibling, you could kiss your plans goodbye.
5. Fights Didn't Last
Sibling fights were notoriously brutal, but they didn't last very long. You could leave each other with lasting scars (both literal and emotional) then drop by your room to gossip like nothing happened. No matter how long or bad your fights were, you knew things wouldn't be like this forever.
6. Apologies Are Infrequent
Did you really expect your older sibling to apologize for pinning you down and drooling in your face? Apologies were rare but not unheard of if they were needed. Most of the time you knew that they didn't really mean it.
7. Alliances Were Ever-Changing
Sibling rivalries were pretty consistent, but sibling alliances changed with the tides. You could be on each other's sides one minute, then ally with your parents if it got you out of trouble. If you were a middle child, your siblings played tug-of-war over your allegiance.
8. Jealousy Went Both Ways
Younger siblings envied their older ones for reaching milestones first, having more responsibility, and seemingly having their lives together. Older siblings envied younger kids for their freedom, and because they didn't have to be a guinea pig. Even if you sibling appeared to have it all, you probably had something they wanted.
9. Personal Space Was Nonexistent
That's a cozy setup you have on the couch...it would be a shame if someone were to....invade it. The concept of personal bubbles did not exist to you; your siblings literally stuck their nose in your business and likely got smacked for it. This was magnified by a thousand if you had to share a room.
10. So Were Personal Possessions
if you and your siblings were close enough in age and size to share clothes, wild horses couldn't keep them away from your closet. Even if you didn't share clothes, they probably stole your fave shirt solely to stretch it out and spite you. And who scratched your brand-new CD?
11. Snacks Had To Be Hidden
If you wanted your favorite snack to last more than a day, you had to be sneaky. First, you had to make sure your siblings weren't around at the time of purchase. Then you had to have a decoy snack to mislead them. Then you had to hide your snack so carefully that even you had trouble finding it.
12. Family Photos Were A Nightmare
Coordination can be tricky, whether it was your Aunt Marge or the Walmart photographer behind the camera asking you to smile wider and look like you loved each other. The more people were in a photo the longer it took. And you don't even want to think about those matching holiday sweaters.
13. Bathrooms Were Battlefields
Growing up with siblings, you quickly learned the art of defensive showering; get in first, lock the door, and use up all the hot water. Of course, that left you open to attack if your siblings flushed the toilet to scald you with hot water. And god help you if your bathroom had a lightswitch outside the door.
14. Pinky Promises Were Sacred
To this day, pinky promises mean more to you than job contracts. Especially if they involved swearing not to tell mom or dad. Double this if you got to hit your sibling back.
15. Children Can Be Cruel
Children can be little monsters, there's no use beating around the bush about it. However, the good thing about growing up with siblings is that you were prepared for cruelty. You always felt bad for the only children who had no idea just how vicious kids can be.
16. Road Trips Were Never Boring
In between asking your parents when you'd get there and whether you could stop to use the bathroom (you didn't have to go last time you stopped, honest!), you had a built-in partner for I spy or the license plate game. If you cooperated, you could even watch something on the portable DVD player. Stressful? Yes. But never boring.
17. Therapy Was Free
For as much as you swore you hated your siblings and would do so until the grave, they always offered you a shoulder to cry on when you needed it. The same goes for advice, whether it was about how to impress your crush or about puberty changes you'd rather die than talk to your parents about.
18. Friends Last For Life
A sibling is a friend you'll never be able to escape from. It's not uncommon for siblings who spent their childhood at each others' throats to grow closer later and life and connect for the first time as adults. Sometimes you need to take a step back and recognize what a good thing you have.
19. Lean From Their Mistakes
What is an older sibling for if not to make mistakes? Siblings make mistakes so you don't have to. However, don't be surprised if they make mistakes and still set you up for failure out of spite.
20. It's Nothing Like The Movies
No matter how hard movies try, they'll never quite get sibling dynamics right. It's better and it's worse than Hollywood could ever capture. Sure it's messy, but it's worth it.
