GROWING THE RELATIONSHIP.
Love: Love covers all errors. Admit that you really do love them despite all the annoying things they do
Learn to Share: The idea of sharing with your siblings doesn’t come naturally especially if you already share a room with them. But as the saying goes
Sharing is Caring!
Sharing personal belongings could also involve some ground rules.
For example, you could tell your siblings that they’re welcome to borrow your items as long as they ask you first. And if they forget (which they do), nicely remind them about the rule.
Advise Them When They Need It: This is often the very best form of sharing, it includes the sharing of knowledge, wisdom and expertise. Brothers and sisters can be our best collaborators, co-conspirators and role models
Earn Their Trust: Let them know that they can trust you. Try not to offer advice when it’s not wanted, rather let them know that you’re here for them, if they ever had a challenge or needed help. Let them know that they can trust you and sincerely so.
Be Generous: Some siblings share a room together, if so then this calls for generosity with each other. You could share your space, closet, box and many other things. Make them feel comfortable with a what’s mine is yours mentality.
Be Patient: Brothers and sisters have a way of pushing each other’s buttons like no other. It’s easy to rise to anger or get impatient with our siblings because we know them so well. Finding patience when it comes to our siblings’ behaviors can be hard, but the more patience we find, the better we’ll get along.
Don’t Compare Yourselves: We can ask parents to not compare children, but sometimes we do it all on our own. It’s easy to be envious of our siblings’ talents or abilities that seem to outsmart our own. Quit comparing who has more education, makes more money or has a better lifestyle Rather than compare yourself to your siblings or their talents to yours, find a way to work on the talents God gave you.
Learn to Work Together: Try to do something your brother or sister enjoys.
They’ll appreciate that you showed an interest and, even more importantly, will enjoy spending time with you. There are so many things you could do together. You could have a game night, play basketball, look at the family photo album or even establish some sibling tradition
Value Them: Everyone is special in their own way. Treat your siblings like the special people they are, give them a high priority
Don’t Bring Up The past: You’ve been through a lot to get here, and it won’t be a bad idea to “let sleeping dog lie”. You can’t change what’s already happened. Instead, create a relationship based on new and constructive behaviors.
Let Go of Grudges: If you’re harboring past hurts, bury the hatchet. It’s time to start the healing process and make the best of today. If someone is angry with you, say you’re sorry and that you’d like things to improve. You will have started the healing process. It’s now out of your hands
When you leave home, you will at times be surrounded by people who irritate you—workmates and others who are rude, insensitive, and selfish.
Home is the place to learn to deal peaceably with such challenges.
If you have a brother or a sister who is difficult to get along with, take a positive view. That sibling is helping you to develop valuable life skills
Helpful Tips:
- Give your sibling a compliment when they do something well to make them feel proud.
- If they are younger than you and attend the same school, try to look out for them.
- Stand up for them if someone is scaring them or bullying them.
- Don’t always run to mom and dad. Try addressing issues with your sibling first
- Give your brother/sister some space when they need it. Especially if they are older than you
- Never shout at your brother or sister in public or in front of friends
- Don’t bully your siblings.
How do you handle disputes with your family members?
Sometimes you may feel that you are clearly right and your sibling or parent is clearly wrong. In such situations do you wait for the other person to make the first move?
Role Model: Jacob. – Genesis 25:27-34; 27:30-41; 32:3-22; 33:1-9.
Jacob and his brother, Esau, have not spoken in years. In fact, Esau hates Jacob. Even though Jacob has done nothing wrong, he is the one who takes the initiative to heal the rift. He makes concessions.
His aim is not to win an argument but to win his brother’s affection. Jacob doesn’t compromise his principles, but neither does he insist on an apology before making peace with his brother.
Jacob didn’t let pride divide his family. He humbled himself and won back his brother.
Will you do the same with your family members?
How we treat out family members determine how we will treat others.
