Younger sibling overshadowed needing ADVICE

destinypath
Wed, 10 Nov 2004 18:43:12 +0000

I’m the “older sibling”. Sometimes my mom asks me to back off and let the other sibs have a go at activities, and that’s frustrating because sometimes I’m honestly interested in the same thing they are.

For example, bro2 right after me has always been into voice and singing. From the time we were five and seven, everyone has commented on what a great voice he has and how well he sings. Since no one said anything to me, I thought my voice was terrible and never sang in public. I pursued other interests.

About the beginning of high school I told myself that hiding because I never got compliments was dumb. I liked singing for fun anyway. When people heard me in hallways and during breaks etc, they started saying things like, “Wow, you should be in choir!” or telling me to try out for musicals. So now…we both can sing well.

I think it’s one long balancing act during which siblings learn self-esteem and how to graciously step aside for a sibling when appropriate.