Over the summer months I was debating with my various brothers and sisters about a usual topic of contention: which place is best in the family. (As a middle child I’ve always felt secure that it’s the only place to be!) However, during our various chats we also discussed the many horrors/joys of growing up as one of eight.
While I’ve always loved being one of many, and shared the many benefits of growing up in a large family, our conversations made me realize that perhaps my siblings had unwittingly prepared me for actual warfare (well, drama aside, at least enhanced my survival skills).
Therefore, in recognition of all the wonderful siblings out there who gave us skills we never knew we needed — and hopefully won’t have to use — we thought we’d have a little fun and share them with you. See what you think, and if you have any to add the list, be sure to share in the comments section.
1
Combat tactics
If you played sports with your siblings, you no doubt managed to chalk up some great skills in avoiding injury, or you learned how to overcome an opponent with superior strength. Personally, when I played soccer with my older brothers, I was always the goalie. Not only did I have to develop deft reflexes to avoid getting smashed in the face, I also had to deal with tempers flaring when a goal was scored.
While I might not exude physical strength, I’m pretty confident I could definitely dodge a fist heading my way!
2
Psy-ops
As parents were generally around to avoid arguments turning physical, siblings had to rely on other means to wind each other up and get the satisfying reaction from the person who’d dared to cross them.
Siblings could come up with some tough tactics, such as using reverse psychology, or denying something over and over until the other sibling eventually gave up the fight. While as a child these tactics could drive us a little crazy, in adulthood, they’re skills that can definitely help us survive — unless it’s a zombie attack when, considering they’re not known for their mental faculties, we’ll have to resort to point one.
3
Covert operations
In large families there are two things that are particularly precious: Finding an empty bathroom first thing in the morning, and finding any cookies left when you arrive home late from school.
As any clever child knows, the only way to ensure you have time to take a shower and get that elusive sweet treat at the end of the day is to undertake some military-worthy maneuvers. Whether this is setting up traps on cookie jars, or spying on your siblings’ early morning behaviors, you’ll have developed skills that would even impress James Bond.
After identifying such life skills, it’s safe to say that our siblings helped shape us in ways we don’t think about. Therefore, the next time you and your siblings are having a heated debate, or squabbling over vacation plans, remember, they’re just helping you hone those skills!
And today we celebrate...