In life we all go through shitty times, and we all have to work at relationships. Sometimes the relationships we're in make us blind, and at those times we make crappy decisions that don't seem so at the time, but in hindsight they are. At the moment there are relationship issues at Lizzie's end and they're not pretty. But perhaps her upbringing and being so close in age as a sibling with me will make her more able to deal with it.
When you're brought up with a sibling close to your own age you tend to squabble quite a lot. Rivalry for approval is often the catalyst to all sorts of mayhem, and these fights often lead to both of you getting in trouble. The teen years were especially hard for us; her perfect grades were mine to envy, and both of us seemed to want each other to gain massive disapproval from the parents. That said, we did get on sometimes, sharing the group of friends in such a way that we did made us more friendly than we had previously been, though the friction (when it came) was far worse because of it.
Perhaps, though, the fact that we grew up like that made us more resistant and able to take being outdone by someone else. I'm the first to admit that I have a competitive streak, but when it comes to it (if I really care about someone) I will back down and let the other person win. My pride is also not as high as it would be if I hadn't had Lizzie there, and I am willing to apologise first, even if it wasn't my fault.
As well as that, we have had the chance to learn from each other's mistakes. Again, because we're so close in age, the mistakes we made were the same kind of thing for our age group. Boyfriend problems, school mistakes, parental issues, they were all applicable to us right at the moment they were made. Perhaps the close-to-home aspect was what made them hit the hardest.
Seeing as we've had these times together (the constant competition, the losses, the break-ups and make-ups) we're probably more likely to fair better in relationships and connect to someone on our own level with more of an open communication. We talked about everything when we were younger, and that has probably got something to do with how open we are in relationships. For who else can you share your thoughts with better than a sister? And who has known you longer than a sister?
I worry for my little brother. He's nine years younger than me, and I know from the Alex experience that much younger siblings act just like only children. He could become self-obsessed and egotistical. I see him turning more and more into my dad every day: it's not a good thing at all.
Something that Lizzie told me is that she could never again date an only child. They seem to have no way of understanding others, no way of appreciating what other people need. They are, in other words, brats and it's very difficult (if even possible) to get that out of them.
I know I'm being stereotypical here, but boys have a tendency to grow into their fathers and girls into their mothers. I would be happy to be as compassionate as my mother, as long as I didn't have to marry a man like my dad. Hayley agrees with this too, especially with regards to her brother, and I've seen it in many other places too.
I'll leave you with this thought: When I have children I will be sure to have more than one.
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