Today is National Sibling Day.
Across the UK, today’s the day to celebrate your brother’s brilliance and your sister’s splendidness. Although it’s not an official holiday (yet), Siblings’ Day is usually held on 10th April. And the UK has joined America in celebrating.
What do you remember of your childhood? Was it battles at bedtime or tranquil round the table in your house? Do you love their funny little ways? Or do their bad habits make you want to commit mental fratricide?
History is heaving with stories of sibling relationships: Cain and Abel; the Wright brothers; The Bee Gees; the Kardashians; Venus and Serena; the Chuckle brothers.
When relationships are tense, something as simple as a plum can be enough to cause a schism, as Liam and Noel Gallagher found out. The boys are still not speaking apparently, after Liam threw the prunus at his older brother, leading Noel to leave Oasis in 2009.
But families stick together through the worst times too – just look at Ronnie and Reggie.
Here are less famous people with a little to say about their sibling relationships. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
Jodie, Kent
Jodie doesn’t get to see her brothers very often, but has childhood memories full of spending time together.
“I’m emotionally very close to both my brothers. We played together a lot, and didn’t fight much at all back then… less than now! I refer to them as the Ugly Sisters to my Cinderella, because they gang up on me, but I’m extremely proud of them both – they’re doing jobs I couldn’t possibly.”
Paul, Manchester
Sibling rivalry over university attendance caused friction between Paul and his brother. An argument 25 years ago has caused a rift that is affecting the youngest generation in the family.
“I barely speak to my older brother, maybe twice a year. I’m not that bothered for myself but I feel my children are missing out.”
Kate, Bristol
Kate is the middle child and the one who was always in trouble. Big sister grabbed the limelight and denied everything.
“My sister would blame me for everything, and get away with it too. I’m not sure whether it was because she did a good line in self promotion, or she was the favoured child no parent will admit to having, but that’s the way it was. We’re really close now, so something good came out of losing our father, as that’s when we really started speaking to each other again.”
Steve, Yorkshire
“My sister seems to be the original golden child and has achieved “so much more” than me. Despite the fact that I’m happily settled with my own home and a good job, her successes seem to shine brighter than mine. It really did hurt when I was younger, but as I’ve got older, I’ve realised that we are completely different people, so our futures were bound to be completely different too.”
Amy, London
“When my sister hurts, I hurt. I wish I could protect her from the world – that’s what big sisters do isn’t it? She and her husband aren’t able to have children naturally, so I’m giving her the biggest gift I can – my eggs. It’s the biggest way I can say I love her. Keep your fingers crossed for her! I can’t wait to be an auntie and she’ll make an amazing mum.”
Have a read of people’s struggles of being the eldest sibling.
