My Sibling

Day 11 of the blog challenge

I have a brother. He is two years and two months younger than I am.

I have never gotten along with my brother. Of course, I love him because he's my brother. But I don't like him.

I know that sounds terrible, but it's the truth.

He doesn't like me either so I guess it's fair.

When we were kids and having the typical sibling arguments, my mom would say, "When you grow up, you two will be best friends."

I told her, "No, we won't."

Do I like that I was right?

No.

Was I striving to be right?

No.

I won't go into specific details into why I don't care for him, but I will say, we just live very different lives. We have totally different beliefs on what is right and wrong especially when it comes to raising kids.

Now, before you type up those hate emails, let me explain something: I am, generally speaking, not a judgmental person. I feel like people have the right to live their life the way they see fit as long as it doesn't hurt another person.

My brother has three kids; a boy and two girls. They are 8, 6, and 3. Those kids have got me wrapped around their fingers. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for them. The middle one loves me the best. She cries when they leave; she wants to live with me.

So, in an effort to be something of a positive role model for the kids, I put up with my brother and his ridiculous ideals. Although, he is making it harder because he won't come over to my house anymore unless I say I want to keep the kids.

Also, he is mad at me because I went back to college. While working another job. And keeping my house clean(ish). And taking care of my kids.

His wife quit school in the 11th grade. Can't pass the GED test. Won't get her driver's license. Thinks living on welfare is the American Dream. Won't keep the house clean. Can't and won't discipline her children.

Yes, I can see where I was the one that was wrong in my decision to get more education. It's the added debt of my student loan that gives me the warm fuzzies. That must be what he is jealous of....

So in conclusion, I have a sibling. Relatively speaking.