From Fighting Over the Remote to Fighting for Each Other
On childhood battlegrounds, silent solidarity, and the enduring language of sibling love. Written by Ms. Gurneet Kaur Jaitly, Counselling Psychologist “Give it to me!” “Mum, they started it!” “I’m never talking to you again!” If you grew up with a sibling, these childhood battle cries are etched into your memory. Siblinghood in the early years is loud, messy, and fiercely territorial. It is built on epic showdowns over the television remote, tactical negotiations for the last piece of chocolate, and dramatic threats of lifelong silence, only to be found whispering conspiracies together five minutes later under a makeshift blanket fort. That is the paradoxical magic of growing up side by side: it effortlessly holds burning irritation and fierce, unshakeable loyalty in the very same breath. The Keepers of Our Origins Long before resumes, carefully curated social feeds, and the heavy armor of adulthood defined who we are, a sibling knew the unvarnished version of us. They were our first c...