the edited version

Hannah Stewart
Honors Symposium
Session D
Dr. Shock

The Joy of Siblings

Imagine yourself, surrounded by your family, playing board games on Christmas Eve. Perched on the couch and reclined in various positions on the floor, your family shouts an assortment of answers. Laughter explodes from everyone as your little brother calls out something funny. Would this happen in the family of an only child? Some say you do not get enough attention in a big family, but obviously they have never been around my family. Considering all the rewards, I know I would much rather be in a family with many siblings than be an only child.
Because of your siblings, you have instant connections many places you go. Going to a camp all by yourself can be scary, but I can not tell you how many times I have gone to camp not knowing anybody, and someone knew my sisters or brothers. Automatically, I made a new friend. At first registering shock, their faces would transform into a look of delight. “Oh, you’re Tessa’s sister? I love Tessa! She is such a sweetheart! Come sit with us!” The association between you and your siblings can open many doors into a healthy social life.
Older siblings spend time mentoring you and showing you how to behave. My sisters always painted my nails, took me swimming, or even helped me with my schoolwork. Special times with my brother included him taking me to see the Ranger game, playing video games with me, or rolling me up in a blanket and calling me a Hannah burrito. I always felt special because my siblings were spending time with me and because of that, we became best friends.
Growing up, I spent my free time being creative with my siblings. For hours on end, my little brother and I would play “castle” with bricks and his collection of action figures. Together, we created all sorts of adventures. Taylor, my oldest sister, would write plays and dinner theaters that we would gleefully put on for our parents. Because they had no one to play with, my friends who were only children spent the majority of their free time glued to a television screen, depriving themselves of creative play. The best memories of my life involve my siblings and our escapades.
Siblings spice up your life. I would never trade the childhood I have had as the fifth out of six kids to be an only child. Siblings are the best friends that get to live in your house and I would not give that up for anything.