I will admit this: when it comes to family, I can’t give advice on sibling tension. One time, I tried to say to a friend, “she’s your sister, you have to be nice.” But then, I remembered my brother and I don’t get along. And we were never really nice to each other. Needless to say, I stopped giving family or sibling advice after that. No more hypocrisy for me.
The tension started with my older brother, who is two years older than me, a long time ago. I’m sure that’s normal with younger sisters and their older brothers. It happens, that’s just a way of life.
But now, my brother and I, after not speaking for around three years, are finally on speaking terms again. Not for him, not for me and not even for my parents, whom I love very much. However, it’s for someone that isn’t even in this world yet.
My brother and his wife are expecting a child in the summer. My entire life, I promised to my parents and my friends that no matter what differences that my brother and I have, that I would never take that out on his future child. That’s not fair, whatsoever.
Now, I have a new role in my life. I’m going to be an aunt. That might be the most important role I will have. Summer is a long time away, but I’ve been planning and anticipating my niece or nephew’s arrival. I’m excited to teach him/her new things.
Honestly, I’m not too nervous about dealing with my brother. I’m willing to put my differences aside with him and work together to be civil and relatively nice to my brother, so his child can have an aunt in their life.
If there is any advice I can give now, without being a hypocrite, it’s that children are so precious, and family will always be there. When nobody has your back, your family will be there. I’m willing to put my differences aside to give my niece/nephew a normal family experience. I hope others are able to as well.