Joys Of Having Elder Siblings

If you grew up with an elder sibling, congratulations; you survived the fights, the anger and the oppression, but you also lived a wonderful life of being loved and cared for, being protected and being guided.  Having an older sibling is having a bodyguard, a mentor, a role model, a confidante and a role model rolled in one. It is a gift like no other.

But the relationship between siblings is not an easy one. The nature and strength of the bond change, especially as everyone gets older and develops new priorities. This can sometimes lead to frustration and bad blood. Even if that is the case, it is worth remembering the good times one had with their big brothers and sisters and reliving the smiles you once shared.

Let us take a look at some of the things that make having an elder sibling awesome. The first thing that makes having an older brother or sister great is that they always have your back. Come what may, they do not abandon you. If you have made a great mess then they will definitely admonish you and maybe tell your parents. They will also punish you to teach you a lesson. But they will get you out of trouble and make sure that you are safe and sound.

Also, they are your guide in life. They have been through the same stages of life that you need to go through and thus, can provide valuable advice on how to overcome challenges. Be it educational problems or career hurdles, they can relate to your situation and give you the best suggestions on how to reach your goal. Moreover, they can be a great source of motivation and inspiration. Watching them work hard can motivate you to do the same. If anyone can lead by example, it is an older sibling.

As a guide, elder brothers and sisters are also your partners in crime, doing things with you to make sure you do them correctly. They are also tutors, literally. They sit you down and watch over you as you study, do your homework and prepare for exams. It gives them an excuse to avoid their own schoolwork and makes them feel like they are in charge (the feeling of power is greatly intoxicating). 

A brother or sister is also a combination of a parent and a friend. They care for you, hence they will yell at you – a lot. But they will also coddle you, defend you in front of others and try to cheer you up when you are sad. They can pamper you to death but will not hesitate to bring down the hammer if you need discipline. They are also someone you can share secrets and feelings with without being judged. They listen to you and, if they cannot help you, they at least offer a shoulder to rest our heads on. As long as we have an elder sibling, we are not alone.

Similarly, they are there for you throughout your life. Friends and acquaintances come and go but siblings stay, sometimes, even if you do not want them to. As mentioned above, you may drift apart and the relationship may sour. But they will still be your siblings. 

They are still blood relatives and oftentimes, they know it more than you. After all, they remember you being born and were there the first time your parents brought you home. 

Likewise, big brothers and sisters are some of the best fashion gurus on this planet. Unless they are actively trying to sabotage you (which they tend to do on occasion), siblings give the most honest feedback ever on your style. 

Be it outfits, hair or makeup, go to your elders for advice. They have been looking nice longer than you. The scribe’s personal experience is that big sisters are more helpful in this than big brothers, mostly because brothers first tease you for caring about your appearance at all. But if you are able to bear the teasing and break through the machismo they try to project, you will get gems from big bros too.

Not everyone has an elder sibling and not everyone with an older sibling has positive experiences with them. But if you are one of the lucky ones who have had both, perhaps you cherish that relationship. Big brothers and sisters are guardians and comrades. They build you up but they also make sure you do not get too big for your britches. That is a rare thing to have.