In this season, where you’re probably having to spend more time with your brothers or sisters than you really want, I’ve got a short list to help you remember how lucky you are. So when you’re sitting too close to your brother on the drive to Grandma’s house, or when your older sister doesn’t get home from college in time to help your mom wrap gifts (and you’re stuck doing it), cling to this little list.
#10. When you’re sitting around the “kid table” with tons of cousins whom you haven’t seen since last year, it’s nice to have a familiar face. Even if that familiar face is your little brother sticking out his tongue.
#9. No one else really gets it when you try to explain that hugging Great Aunt Olivia makes you gag because she smells like Great Aunt Olive Juice.
#8. There are people in this world who don’t have an older sister to borrow clothes from. That’s a heartbreaking thought, I know.
#7. A sibling or two (or 12) gives you someone to share the chores with.
#6. With it being so cold outside, it’s nice to have the body heat that’s produced when you have to squeeze into the back seat with the other kids.
#5. Dancing down the hallway to “Feliz Navidad” is highly entertaining with partners.
#4. More presents under the tree means more things you can borrow in the future.
#3. It’s hard to reenact a live nativity scene alone. (It’s also hard to reenact a live nativity scene with a real baby. Use a doll instead.)
#2. Singing “Jingle Bells” all alone is sort of depressing. So is eating all the Christmas cookies. Share the vocal responsibility and the caloric intake.
#1: God picked your family. His best plan for you includes those bothersome little people who live in your house. Choose to be thankful.
There you have it! Ten simple reasons to be glad you have siblings. Enjoy this holiday season with your brothers and sisters. And seriously heed my warning about a real baby in a live nativity scene. It can get really messy. Fast.
Annie Downs is a freelance writer in Nashville. When she isn’t singing “Jingle Bells,” she’s probably eating cookies. Sigh. annieblogs.com.