11 Perks to the Big Sister-Little Brother Equation
At the beginning of your happy, jolly journey on Earth as a little h-oo-man, it’s just you. You get all your parents’ attention, sharing and another little h-oo-man that would snuggle himself in your seat at the dining table remain two alien concepts.
Then, before you know it, you’re a big sister to a baby brother. You swell with the importance of your new responsibility – until you realise that it’s a life-long commitment.
My brother and I are six and half years apart in age. Naturally, there were those few years that involved constant fighting and him blaming everything on me and somehow never getting in trouble while I took all the heat.
But what are the Perks of being a Big Sister to a Little Brother?
1. You get to dress him up in female clothing.
For the first couple of years, before he is impregnated with any preconceived societal ideas of gender identity, you get to have him wear your Mom's bras and have him apply bright red lipstick. Heck, now that I think of it, my brother took to bold lipstick before I did! Darn.
But yeah, he’s basically this doll. He can be a nurse, a ballerina –anything you like. And he loves it! It’s great!
2. You always have someone to play with and annoy.
I realised recently that one of my main hobbies in life apart from painting and writing is actually annoying the life out of my my brother. And I truthfully mean it, it takes up such a major portion of my free time that you won't believe it. Whether it's about trying to get him out of bed after sunrise or simply taking his share of food. And! He can keep you company during boring events.
3. A baby brother is basically a pet.
And I remember I said the same thing in one of my English Oral Classes back in tuition 3 years ago. It's mostly because they can be all like little puppies trying to snuggle everywhere and annoy the shit out of you. If your parents won’t let you have a puppy, that’s cool – your little brother will gladly curl against you and fall asleep while breathing gently on your cheek.
4. You can persuade them that anything is a game.
Even after they celebrate their first decade on Planet Earth: going upstairs to retrieve your book for you? Game. Putting all the clothes and dishes away? Game. Cleaning your room? Game. Kids are gullible and eager to please. You would have heard a n evil laughter of mine here. I mean come on, a game is like a bargain right?
5. You can always tease or blackmail him with embarrassing photos and anecdotes.
He does that too, so no, I'm not ashamed.
6. He is your personal scavenger.
Got something you don't need? Waste not, because your younger brother will definitely adopt it. I'm vile, I know. Heh.
7. You get ample sights of the male physique.
I realised this advantage when I got in Middle School and my friends who either had no brothers or were the only kids to the parents never saw a penis. So, I'm supposing that's a plus to sexual health!
8. Your mistakes weren't a waste; he got to learn firsthand from them.
At least for me, I had my fair share of slip ups growing up. But now, instead of looking back and being super embarrassed and/or ashamed, I can feel like they (possibly) were worth it, as my little brother got to learn what not to do. Also, he is the first one to look up to you. Even if he may not express it directly.
9. He was, is and always will be your partner in crime.
He will willingly be your scapegoat and cover agent when your bribes are to his liking. Especially mine, who has imaginary friends too. Which means we get to blame our imaginary friends together for any damage caused!
10. You’ll always feel a wee bit maternal towards him.
Because, after all, you had a hand in raising him. Yes, you can laugh, Mom.
11. He makes you laugh unconditionally.
As a kid, innocence cracked you up as did his Michael Jackson's dance or Krish's interpretation. My own not-so-baby-anymore brother is perhaps the funniest person I know; he can literally have me in tears from laughing so hard with his cartoon-ish dialogues. His hilarious sarcasm can instantly take a bad situation and turn it the other way around.
“Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring quite often the hard way.” » Pamela Dugdale
Until next time,
Be Light,
Much Love,
Pawena.
