A Time to Talk

Most of you have brothers or sisters at home. If you do, then you have trouble. If you have brothers or sisters at home, then you have fun, too.

Brothers and sisters are fun and they are trouble. They’re fun because they are wonderful to play with. They’re fun because they are wonderful to tease. They’re fun because they’re yours. They’re trouble because they usually want what you want, when you want it. They’re trouble because they sometimes do things better than you do. They’re trouble because they sometimes take the time and attention of your mother and father when you want that time and attention.

Have you ever felt jealous of your brothers and sisters? If you have, it’s natural. Sometimes a brother or sister, either younger or older, can do things better than you can. And sometimes parents or teachers might remind you of this. Sometimes you’ll be reminded of it by yourself.

Try to understand that people don’t mean to be unkind by comparing you with your brothers or sisters; they just want you to be better! Try to remember that there are probably some things others can’t do that you can. Understanding why you’re jealous is very important. And if you understand that nearly everyone is a little jealous sometimes, then you won’t feel so bad.

Brothers and sisters can be a barrel of fun or a bucket of trouble. It all depends on how you look at it!