If you’re older and are playing with a much younger sibling, try planning out a scavenger hunt by hiding little toys or other objects around the yard. Try having them look for certain flowers or leaves. Remember to keep an eye on them and don’t hide anything in any potentially dangerous areas. Go on bike rides together, or for a walk or jog around the neighborhood, as long you have permission from a parent. If you’re taking care of a younger sibling, make sure to keep an eye on them and don’t leave them behind.
Try going to a museum together, especially if either of you have an interest in a particular subject. For example, if you’re older and can drive, and your sibling loves science, take a trip to a museum of science within driving distance. If you love art and want to share that interest with your sibling, ask them to go to a nearby art museum. Go roller skating or ice skating together. If you skate but your sibling doesn’t know how, try to teach them, or vice versa.
Consider asking a parent, relative, neighbor, or other handy adult to help build a more permanent fort or treehouse outside.
You could try making sock puppets, candles out of broken crayons, modeling clay out of household items, or a miniature city out of boxes and cans. Make sure you have a parent’s permission when doing arts and crafts and get help from them to avoid making a big mess.
Maybe you have great taste in clothes and your sibling has a date or special occasion. Without implying that they’re unfashionable, offer to help them pick out an outfit.
You definitely each need your own space and own social groups, but if you’re around the same age, try to go to movies or other places with mutual friends.
Try to text each other at least every few days. Share something funny about your day with them, send them a meme you saw on social media, or just say “Hey, thinking of you, hope you’re having a great day!” Do your best to have a phone chat regularly. Try to schedule a date every week or two, or at least once a month. Ask your sibling about their schedule and try to find an hour or so that you’re both free. Consider using Skype or another video chat service to talk face to face when you can.
If you feel like your older sibling is growing distant from you, try to understand that they have to be their own person. Have a little faith that the situation is temporary in the long run. Focus on the positives, and ask your older sibling for advice as you get older. [3] X Research source If you feel like your little sibling is becoming a shadow, try to take the time to remember that you care for them and that they look up to you. Set aside time to spend with them, even if you’re not into the same things anymore. Share advice with them and try to include them in your life as much as you can. [4] X Research source As you become teenagers and young adults, try not to hold grudges about things you and your sibling did that annoyed each other you were younger. [5] X Research source
Even if you think you and your sibling seem completely different, you’ll find you share a lot in common if you look closer. Make it clear to each other that you’re a team within your family unit and within the broader world because of your history together, your family values, and other circumstances and influences. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Try saying, “Hey, it’s really cool to have someone else around who shares my genes, parents, and has gone through some of the same stuff as me!” In addition to genes and upbringing, think about activities you and your sibling both enjoy. Maybe you both love a sport, a television show, or to sing. Narrow down some areas of common interest or activities that you both would have fun doing.
Your sibling might love playing hide and seek, but you might find it boring. On the other hand, you might love playing video games, but your sibling isn’t so great at your favorite game. To compromise, spend an hour or so playing hiding seek, then the next hour playing the video game. Consider playing a video game that your sibling is better at playing to make things more fun for everyone. Definitely go for things you both like to do first. If there are only a couple activities you both enjoy, playtime can get pretty boring. Just make sure you both have equal chances to choose the activities. If you’re older by several years, give your younger sibling the choice of what games to play. Ask them, “What are some of your favorite games? What do you think we could do that’s really fun?” Allow them to make more selections, as long as the activities are safe.
If they’re really good at something, do your best to show your interest and support, and try not to be jealous. It’s great if you both enjoy a sport or activity, but don’t, for example, start playing basketball just because your sibling plays and you’re jealous of the attention they get for it. Play because you like it, or perhaps because you actually want to spend more time with your sibling.
If your sibling hit you or was otherwise violent, you shouldn’t hesitate to tell a parent or trusted adult. If your sibling used your hair gel without asking, you can probably talk to them about it without tattling, especially if it’s the first offense. Try saying, “It bothers me when you use my stuff without asking. I really need my own space and for both of us to respect each other’s belongings. " If your sibling tattles on your for something silly, tell them, “It hurt my feelings that you tattled on me, especially over such a little thing. I want us to be close and to be able to trust each other, but that won’t happen I can’t tell you anything without you going to mom and dad. " Developing trust in each other early will lay the foundation for having fun together while growing up, and help you continue to enjoy each other’s company into your teen and adult years.
Every relationship, including the one between you and your sibling, is unique and has positive and negative aspects. Everyone has their own way of communicating and showing affection. Thinking someone else’s sibling relationship is better can undervalue your own, creating a negative mindset and causing you to assign blame. Focus on the fact that relationships are unique instead of thinking in terms of better or worse.
