I believe that siblings are the best addition to life. Without a doubt, siblings can be annoying and petty, but with all of the bickering and not so witty banter, they love with all their heart.
I have one younger brother, and he and I are as thick as thieves. I remember when he first came home from the hospital. He was crying and colicky, and my precocious little four and half year hold self demanded to know when “we could return him.” The story makes a great laugh now, but my parents were hardly amused then. At the time, the new addition was a major adjustment for my spoiled little self, but now I realize that it was one of the best additions to my life.
With all his quirks and antics, he has taught me very important lessons in how to relate to people outside my nuclear family. Just his presence alone taught me to be aware and considerate of others around me. He taught me that there are people outside of myself, who want different things than I do. He taught me to learn the art of compromise, a tool that every person will find the need for in their life. Most importantly he taught me how to love someone else.
As children we come programmed to survive; to care for our needs first. It is a sign of true maturation, when a child learns to care and love for another. It starts out as small things. Like, giving him the last of the cookies, or making sure he puts his pants on in the right direction, or wondering when your buddy is coming home to play with. Ultimately, it turns into wanting only the absolute best for him and waiting for the moment when what he needs most is love from his big sister.
Over the years, I have made friends who are only children. They too learn these lessons, but not with the same bond that comes with brothers or sisters. They lose the sense of camaraderie that comes when their parents display embarrassing nuances, or when someone accidentally mentions an inside joke. These things only add to the flavor and enjoyment of life. Brothers and sisters, be they biological or not, are truly the best thing that can happen to a kid. This I believe.