Due to the nuclear family setup, the size of families has shrunk to a great extent. A large family of grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins living under the same roof is rare these days. Core homes have parents and a single child or at most two children.
Families who have migrated to urban areas usually settle with a single child for various reasons ranging from finances to providing security to the child to covering future expenses of the child.
Despite the above unavoidable reasons, parents who used to live in a big house with siblings and cousins very often feel that their child may be missing out on the joy of sharing life with a sibling.
An only child grows up with parents. A child with siblings usually grows up with siblings rather than parents. There is a big difference in that!
Those silly fights teach you a lot
“Half the time when brothers wrestle, it’s just an excuse to push each other.” James Patterson
Those fights with your siblings over a piece of chocolate help you understand the importance of sharing as you grow up.
During childhood, siblings consider each other as their worst enemies and as they grow up they realize that they are their first friends. The friendship that each person first experienced comes from siblings and cousins.
Siblings snowball in values such as sharing possessions, giving each other space in the house, respecting each other’s opinions and coexisting even if there is a difference in mentality.
Siblings will always take you back to childhood
“A sibling is the lens through which you see your childhood” Ann Hood
Having a sibling means having a personal database of childhood memories. Every time you are with your sibling, you will definitely remember the beautiful days of your childhood.
The silly whining and mischief of childhood will always bring joy to your life in the older years; and a sibling is the only person who can help you remember those things with utmost clarity.
Growing up with a sibling will leave less room to be self-absorbed
“Sisters and brothers are the truest, purest forms of love, family and friendship, and know when to hold you and when to challenge you, but are always a part of you.” Carol Ann Albright-Eastman
Growing up with a sibling will rarely give you the chance to be selfish or self-absorbed. Siblinghood is all about sharing things, sharing opinions, sharing feedback; even when you don’t intend to. You can never escape the probing lenses of your sibling.
When you grow up on your feet and have your own recognition in society, the silly fights and screams you had with your sibling will help you live your life.
Siblings bring out the best in us, and we all realize this later in life.
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