Developing meaningful sibling relationships

Sibling relationships can be some of the most difficult to develop into strong, lasting, and meaningful relationships. You live in close contact with one another, you have to deal with rivalries and like situations, you are often forced into bonds with someone you may have never been friends with otherwise. Additionally, it can be difficult to get a good relationship going if you are older or younger than your sibling. There is hero-worship, the annoying younger sibling, or any number of other things that affect the way a sibling relationship develops. The following are some tips for developing a meaningful sibling relationship:

1. Spend time together. A lot of the times siblings live in the same house, and maybe eat dinner with each other over the same table, but when it comes to actual quality time together, many siblings are lacking. So, you have to make some plans to spend time together. You can sit at home on the couch to watch a movie together, or you can go out and do something together. Either way, spend some time.
2. Get to know them beyond the walls of the house. We often get to know our siblings in the context of the home, which can mean no love lost. You fight over chores, over items, and over attention, which is not something you do with friends because you do not have to share a bedroom, bathroom, or parent with your friends. So, plan some times when you can get out and have fun where yours, mine, and ours are not an issue.
3. Rely on one another. One of the biggest benefits of being siblings is having that bond that means you get to rely on one another, and that you have an unconditional type love. So, one of the best ways to develop meaningful relationships is to actually cash in on that, and rely on one another when you need to. Whether it is covering for each other to the parents, or knowing that they will spot you so can afford the movie for the weekend, or something more serious, rely on each other, and be reliable, and you will find a meaningful relationship comes much easier.
4. Play together. How do you bond with anyone, or create meaningful relationships with anyone? You do it by being together and having fun together. If you have a crazy fun experience, you will be able to draw from that when you hit some bad times, or need a friendship boost.
5. Talk, talk, talk. One of the greatest ways to develop meaningful sibling relationships is to talk. Talk about your goals, fears, loves, hates, etc. Make a habit of catching up daily, and checking on one another. This will help you stay connected, and know where you stand with each other.
Sibling relationships can be a lot of fun, especially because if you develop a good relationship it is like always being with your best friends.