Hi everyone,
So as you all know, I have a sister. Being that I had one brother growing up, I always wanted a sister- I mean, what girl doesn’t want another gal pal around to share clothes with and play Barbies with (luckily my brother helped me out there- don’t kill me, Matt!) Once I got to about 10 or 11, I came to the realization that a little sister wasn’t going to happen, and I was ok with that!
Fast forward to the ripe old age of 16, and I have that little sister I had always dreamed of. Did I think it would happen? No, did I think it would happen when I was preparing to take the SATs and head off to college? Not in my wildest dreams!! But I fell so hard for that little girl, and she’s had me (and everyone else she meets) wrapped around her fingers ever since.
Now that I’m 25 and she’s about to turn 9, we definitely have a different dynamic than “normal” sisters. I’m married and live in my own house, and she’s totally into Monster High dolls and Disney channel shows (which I’m not entirely opposed to!) But how do we bridge the age gap and enjoy each other like other sisters do?
It’s easy, really. Sure, we’re 16 years apart, but we both love a lot of the same things, regardless of age, like getting our nails done, shopping, watching movies (though drastically different at times). But it’s a matter of give and take. For example, where 23 and 25-year-old sisters may want to watch all the same reality tv shows for hours on end, we have to flip between Good Luck Charlie and Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Where other sisters may want to try out the hottest new restaurants in town, we have to double check that they have kids’ menus first. When I may want to settle down and read for the night, this little ball of energy wants to play another round of board games. But it’s a balance, and we make it work.
I couldn’t love this little lady any more than I do, no matter our age difference. She’s an amazing blessing, and I love finding ways to bridge our age gap and build an awesome relationship with her!
So tell me: Do you or anyone you know have a big age gap between siblings? How many years? How do they bridge the age gap?
XO,
Amanda
11 Comments
Laura Jackson
August 1, 2013 at 1:46 pmMy sister and I are 6 years apart and we were always very close! Glad you and your sister are too regardless of your age difference!
amanda23rodriguez
August 2, 2013 at 7:56 pmThat’s great to hear, Laura!
Beth
August 1, 2013 at 1:48 pmCute post! I have a sister who is 20 years younger than me. Bridging the age gap can be tough but I feel like the older she gets, the easier it is.
amanda23rodriguez
August 2, 2013 at 7:56 pmIt’s so funny how common I am finding it to be! And I agree, it’s getting to be much easier to relate as she becomes a pre-tween!
Kristin
August 1, 2013 at 1:53 pmMy husband’s youngest sister is 7 years old. There’s not much they have in common, but he treats her with respect and jokes around with her. He’s a great big brother.
amanda23rodriguez
August 2, 2013 at 7:57 pmIsn’t that the funniest? Your sister-in-law is 7. I love it. The other day my husband told his boss we had to go pick his sister-in-law up from the babysitter- you should have seen the look on her face!
Jennifer
August 1, 2013 at 2:22 pmMy college roommate had a 5yo brother. Their dynamic was definitely different from siblings who would be closer in age. But she loved him just the same.
amanda23rodriguez
August 2, 2013 at 8:01 pmIt’s definitely different, but something so cool that I wish everyone could experience!
Renae C.
August 2, 2013 at 1:37 pmThat’s awesome! I have some much older siblings, and unfortunately don’t share the same relationship with all of them that you do with yours. What a touching story, and I hope you continue to be close!
amanda23rodriguez
August 2, 2013 at 8:02 pmYou know, I think a lot of it has to do with technology. I was able to Skype with my sister the whole time I was away at college, and she has a cell phone so we get to chat a lot!
Jess
August 14, 2013 at 4:18 pmCute post! My sisters and I are 8 years apart on either side, and we definitely struggled with this when we were younger. But now that we are older, we are much closer and have more things to relate to each other about (college, dating, work, marriage, house, kids, etc).