Wynter Feiner

SIBLING CONNECTION. The connection between siblings is one of the strongest relationships you can form: if you put in the effort.

If you feel disconnected from a sibling, take action. The connection isn’t the only thing being lost by the lack of effort, you lose your own growth opportunities too. The connection between siblings is one of the strongest relationships you can form if you put in the effort. According to the UNM Health Sciences Center, 82% of children live with a sibling.

Siblings serve as companions, emotional support, and role models during childhood and adolescence.
What are the benefits you gain from being close to a sibling and forming a tight bond?

Having conflict with a sibling is very common. While conflict is seen as a negative thing, conflicting and arguing with a sibling is actually a positive thing. It’s extremely beneficial to your future self to learn early in life how to communicate and resolve conflict. This will benefit future relationships, jobs, friendships, etc.

Conflict resolution isn’t the only communicational benefit you can gain from being close to your sibling. According to the UNM Health Sciences Center, There is evidence to suggest that healthy sibling relationships promote empathy and prosocial behavior.

Siblings may also serve as an emotional support, kids may be more likely to tell their siblings things that they wouldn’t’ve told their parents. Learning to reach out and communicate with someone about how you’re feeling will help kids later in life speak up and reach out about more serious issues or just communicate their feelings.

I’m sure if you have a younger sibling you’ve been told by a parent or relative that they look up to you and that you should set a good example for your sibling.

According to SRCD Having a positive and maybe sometimes negative influence on a sibling is thought to extend to younger siblings’ capacity to feel care and sympathy for those in need.

Older siblings are not the only ones who are able to contribute to their siblings’ development, both older and younger siblings positively influence each other’s empathetic concern over time during early childhood. According to Wellbeing People Having empathy is a crucial life skill, it is vital to understand the needs of those around you, have a clear understanding of the perception you create, and feel connected to others. Having empathy will enhance your communication skills as well as your emotional intelligence.

If you feel disconnected from a sibling, strengthen the relationship, take advantage of our upcoming winter break, invite your sibling to something and spend some quality time together; do something special to celebrate the holidays, look back on old photos, or share a positive memory. Even the smallest things can create a lasting bond that gives back.