Get informed : Family
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Ask your question about family relationship to others or share your experience by answering to their questions in the Getting Along with Family forum.
questions about family
Your siblings
How do you get along with your siblings?
Sometimes, you may wonder what you did to deserve brothers or sisters! Other times, you may thank your lucky stars they’re there to take care of you or support you through rough times. Having siblings means learning things that will stay with you throughout your life.
Complicity or rivalry? Having brothers and sisters can be fantastic! Siblings are like friends and can be a source of support in rough times. But, they're also the people you get the angriest at! Sibling relationships are among the most complex you'll have.
Solidarity. You can choose to have positive relationships with your brothers and sisters. This can be a good investment, since they’ll always be there.Solidarity between siblings can also be very useful when dealing with parents...
A model? Is your brother or sister your hero? Maybe you want to be too much like them. Remember — you have a right to be yourself!
Differences. Having brothers and sisters also means learning to live with people who are different than you. And because you can’t break up with a sibling, it's best to learn to live together! Learning about differences will serve you well in lots of other situations in your life! There will always be people you won't be crazy about or with whom you have difficulty getting along. Living with your brothers and sisters is good practice for dealing with these people!
Complicity or rivalry? Having brothers and sisters can be fantastic! Siblings are like friends and can be a source of support in rough times. But, they're also the people you get the angriest at! Sibling relationships are among the most complex you'll have.
Solidarity. You can choose to have positive relationships with your brothers and sisters. This can be a good investment, since they’ll always be there.Solidarity between siblings can also be very useful when dealing with parents...
A model? Is your brother or sister your hero? Maybe you want to be too much like them. Remember — you have a right to be yourself!
Differences. Having brothers and sisters also means learning to live with people who are different than you. And because you can’t break up with a sibling, it's best to learn to live together! Learning about differences will serve you well in lots of other situations in your life! There will always be people you won't be crazy about or with whom you have difficulty getting along. Living with your brothers and sisters is good practice for dealing with these people!
Should you tell your siblings' secrets to your parents?
Your sibling may confide in you, because you're the closest person to them. There are all sorts of secrets, and if any of them make you uncomfortable or have serious implications, it's important that you don't feel trapped by the bonds of secrecy.
Important! Remember that you can't keep any secret that has anything to do with suicide! If your sibling has talked to you about suicide, you must not keep this to yourself — talk to an adult you can trust. You might feel like you're betraying your sibling, but you're actually helping them stay alive (read more here about suicide).
Sometimes, if you've been fighting with a brother or a sister, you might decide to take revenge and tell your parents a secret your sibling has shared with you. Think about the consequences of your actions! This might ruin you relationship with your sibling and destroy any trust they have in you.
It’s up to you to decide it’s worth it!
Important! Remember that you can't keep any secret that has anything to do with suicide! If your sibling has talked to you about suicide, you must not keep this to yourself — talk to an adult you can trust. You might feel like you're betraying your sibling, but you're actually helping them stay alive (read more here about suicide).
Sometimes, if you've been fighting with a brother or a sister, you might decide to take revenge and tell your parents a secret your sibling has shared with you. Think about the consequences of your actions! This might ruin you relationship with your sibling and destroy any trust they have in you.
It’s up to you to decide it’s worth it!
When you have problems with your siblings
Parents have to make sure that conflicts between siblings don’t degenerate into permanent divisions. Proximity, character traits, and differences in age and interests are all factors that can sometimes create tensions between siblings. It's essential that each family member feel they have a respected place in the family.
Here are a few things to think about if you're having a hard time with your siblings:
Here are a few things to think about if you're having a hard time with your siblings:
- Learn to express your feelings
- Learn to come up with mutually acceptable solutions with them
- Talk to your parents; they can help you find solutions
- Talk to a school counsellor or call Tel-jeunes