Like, with your own siblings, even if they're grown adults? Mmmm, yeah, I can't really say I envy any of my siblings. But my husband's siblings . . . then again, maybe that's just an in-law thing.
Yeah, grown siblings. I just keep thinking that one day I will grow up enough, become Christlike enough, that some things will just stop bothering me. I'm not there yet. If I could just not want THINGS so much and always be grateful for who I AM and the relationships I enjoy then I know it would be so much easier. Some days, though, there is this big green monster inside that rears his ugly head. I nearly have to bite my tongue to keep from asking the "why" questions.
Don't know if I've ever commented here before but, if not hi. And no, I don't think it ever truly ends. I'm the oldest of seven kids. Currently there are five of us in the finish college-get married-start a family-start careers phase of life and there is a lot of unspoken rivalry and tension over everyone's life choices. Don't get me wrong--we love each other and have a wonderful time when we are together. It's just too easy to compare and contrast amongst outselves. I hear ya.
There were times growing up when I wanted to do what my older sister got to do. When my parents wouldn't let me, I wanted to know why. They usually said something like, "because you're not her. You're you. And we don't think it's right for you." Something like that. But the point is, they saw us a individuals and didn't expect us to be carbon copies of each other. It's made it a bit easier not to feel like rivals.
But my in-laws weren't raised like that. I'm beginning to think that sibling rivalry has more to do with expectations -- expectations you have for yourself and others, and expectations others have for you. I always feel uncomfortable when someone's expectations for me are not in line with my own.
Do you think that could contribute to rivalry among siblings?
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Like, with your own siblings, even if they're grown adults? Mmmm, yeah, I can't really say I envy any of my siblings. But my husband's siblings . . . then again, maybe that's just an in-law thing.
Yeah, grown siblings. I just keep thinking that one day I will grow up enough, become Christlike enough, that some things will just stop bothering me. I'm not there yet. If I could just not want THINGS so much and always be grateful for who I AM and the relationships I enjoy then I know it would be so much easier. Some days, though, there is this big green monster inside that rears his ugly head. I nearly have to bite my tongue to keep from asking the "why" questions.
Don't know if I've ever commented here before but, if not hi. And no, I don't think it ever truly ends. I'm the oldest of seven kids. Currently there are five of us in the finish college-get married-start a family-start careers phase of life and there is a lot of unspoken rivalry and tension over everyone's life choices. Don't get me wrong--we love each other and have a wonderful time when we are together. It's just too easy to compare and contrast amongst outselves. I hear ya.
There were times growing up when I wanted to do what my older sister got to do. When my parents wouldn't let me, I wanted to know why. They usually said something like, "because you're not her. You're you. And we don't think it's right for you." Something like that. But the point is, they saw us a individuals and didn't expect us to be carbon copies of each other. It's made it a bit easier not to feel like rivals.
But my in-laws weren't raised like that. I'm beginning to think that sibling rivalry has more to do with expectations -- expectations you have for yourself and others, and expectations others have for you. I always feel uncomfortable when someone's expectations for me are not in line with my own.
Do you think that could contribute to rivalry among siblings?
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