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Improving Your Relationship With Your Siblings

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Hampton U chapter.

Having a sibling can afford you a beautiful relationship, but then there are those times when having a sibling makes life a bit more difficult. Things like 24/7 competition, game nights full of uncontrollable drama, and getting stuck with dish duty even though your sibling is completely capable can definitely get under your stkin. But having a sibling doesn’t have to be a complete pain in the butt, so here are some ways you can improve your relationship with your sibling. 

Accept Your Differences

You and your sibling may be completely different, and that is perfectly ok. If you like something that your sibling doesn’t, there is no need to get upset. My little sister is 11-years-old and she likes to spend a lot of her time reading. Reading is not my main hobby, but I don’t let that discourage me. Cherish each other’s differences and uniqueness and further develop the relationship from there. 

 

Avoid Comparing

There is no need to compare to see who makes the most money, has the best education, or lives the best lifestyle. You should be happy for your sibling’s latest achievement. Continue to encourage each other as you live your life to the fullest. My older brother earned an internship his freshman year but I didn’t. So instead of comparing myself to him and being upset, I congratulated him on his accomplishments. Even now, he still encourages me to do my best and never give up. 

 

Let Go of Grudges

 

Holding a grudge against your sibling is completely unnecessary. There are like nasty infections. Grudges fester for years and can contaminate you and your sibling’s relationship. If you’re holding onto past hurts, let it go and start your healing process. On the flip side, if your sibling is angry with you, apologize and say that you’d like things to improve. 

 

Whenever you’re mad at your sibling remember these things. They will help you improve your relationship so both of you can live a happy, healthy life.

 

Camille Birdsong is a Her Campus National Writer for the Style section. She writes weekly articles about all things fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and decor. Beyond Her Campus, Camille works as an Associate Producer for CNN Max. She previously worked at NBC News, where she produced heartwarming stories for the TODAY Show audience and viewers nationwide. Camille graduated in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Leadership Studies at Hampton University. She was the Director and Line Producer of her university’s newscast and has interned at NBC Nightly News, the TODAY Show and the Weekend TODAY Show. Camille is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and is passionate about sharing community-driven stories. In her downtime, she loves creating content, visiting new cafes, and obsessing over reality dating shows.