24 Reasons To Be Glad You Have A Sibling

As much as they may have annoyed you when you were younger, there are so many benefits to having a sibling. Whether you're making fun of your parents, or just need someone to vent to, you can pretty much always count on your siblings to be there when you need a helping hand.

In honour of National Sibling Day, we're counting down the reasons why having a brother or sister is the best. And if you're lucky enough to come from a big family, you have even more reasons to feel blessed.

So, stop the teasing and taunting for a few minutes and try saying thank you to your siblings instead. Here are 24 reasons why siblings rock.

You Always Have An Ally

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Whether you're commiserating about your parents or in an argument with another family member, you can always count on your sibling to have your back.

They Make You More Successful

Renate Flynn/Flickr

Researchers at the University of Essex believe an older sibling's success might actually spill over on to their younger siblings, so stop arguing over who's more successful and just be glad you're both doing so well.

Double The Wardrobe

Matt Stefanidis/500px

If you're lucky enough to have a sibling who is the same size as you, you'll reap the benefits of a shared wardrobe. And if you aren't the same size, at least you can still 'borrow' their accessories.

They Make Family Dinners Less Awkward

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Even if you are close with your cousins, catching up with your extended family can be intimidating — but having a sibling or two by your side is sure to make things much easier.

It Makes Gift Giving A Lot Cheaper

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Buying gifts can get expensive, but if you have a big family you can always go in on gifts together. Twenty dollars won't go far for one, but times that by three, and you can get Mom or Dad something special with $60.

They Make Great Travel Companions

Thomas Hawk/Flickr

Travelling with your siblings can be a nightmare when you're kids, but once you're older, booking a getaway with your big brother or sister is great. Common interests make sightseeing a cinch and let's face it — better budgets don't hurt either. But the best part? Unlike travelling with friends or a significant other, if you get into a fight, you know it won't ruin your trip because you're bound to make up and forget about it in a few minutes anyway.

You Always Have A Second Home

Distance be damned, if your sibling just happens to live far away, you always know you have a place to stay.

They Pave The Way

Zero Creatives

If you're lucky enough to have an older sibling who was actually cool in high school, it'll make going into grade 9 a lot easier — as long as you don't like being called mini-John or mini-Jane!

Oh, And Their Notes Are Your Notes

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As long as the curriculum stays the same, your older sibling's notes are golden!

They Always Get Your Offbeat Sense Of Humour

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No one will appreciate your twisted jokes quite like your brother or sister, who think they are hilarious.

You Could Borrow Their ID

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Having an older sibling that looks like you is a blessing when you have a birthday late in the year and all your friends are going dancing at a local club. Yeah ... dancing.

You Always Had A Playmate Growing Up

Shuji Kobayashi

Playing against the computer isn't fun, but beating your brother in Mario Kart sure is.

They Teach You Patience

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Sharing your toys and having to wait your turn when you're little might seem like the end of the world, but when you're older you'll be grateful you learned how to play nice at an early age.

They're There For You In Times Of Need

Emily Barney/Flickr

From lost jobs to bad break ups, if you need a hug or a shoulder to cry on, your sibling will be there in seconds.

They're Your Guinea Pigs

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If you ever want to ask Mom or Dad for something but aren't sure how they'd react, just send your sibling to do it for you. (Note: Same rules apply for other life lessons.)

You Can Blame Them For Pretty Much Everything

Sahana david photography/500px

In case you were wondering, the other word for sibling is scapegoat.

They Make Great Business Partners

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Your sibling probably looks at money and success the same way you do, so working with them might be a good idea. They don't call it a family business for nothing!

They Take The Pressure Off

LollyKnit/Flickr

If your parents are wondering why you're 30 and still single, you could remind them that your old sibling was 35 when they tied the knot. Better yet, your big brother or sister might even say it themselves!

They Are Built-in Babysitters

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Growing up, you took care of your younger siblings. Now that you're older, they'll help you take care of your kids.

They'll Be Your Alibi

Tobyotter/Flickr

When your parents ask where you went, your sibling automatically has your back and vice versa. Yep, that goes for skipping family dinners as a grownup too.

You Share Responsibilites

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Growing up, if you forgot to take out the trash, you could count on your sibling to take care of it. As you grow older, you now take turns checking in on your parents and the family house.

They Will Be Your Oldest Friends