I have always known that siblings should be your best friends. I heard story after story of people who made best friends of their siblings. I have even read books that talked about it. I thought I could do it if I tried! As I tried to "make" my siblings into good friends, I found myself seeing how impossible it was and I began to draw away from them. I later heard more about great sibling relationships. I would now think, "Sure... it worked for them, but MY siblings could never become my best friends!" I later realized that I wanted to "make" my siblings to be what I wanted them to be. I learned that you can't "make" your siblings be anything. They are created by God to be who they are. Only He can change them.
I then began to see that I was the one who needed to learn how to be a friend to them - to not look to my own interests, but to theirs. It wasn't about me or my wants. It was about glorifying God through close relationships with my siblings, to disciple them and to encourage them in Christ. My change of heart started me on a new path to get to know my siblings better. In order to have a good relationship with someone, you need to get to know them - their likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams, their love languages, their spiritual gifts. I'm also trying to like hanging out with them doing what they like to do! I'm still learning how to be a better sister. I haven't got it all figured out, but I know with the Lord's help I can be best friends with my siblings!
Below you will find some fun and creative ways to reach out to your siblings to show that you care about them, love them and want to become best friends with them!
Ideas!
~ Play dress-up with them
~Take them to the park (If you are old enough to do so!)
~ Go on bike rides
~Make meals together
~Do a chore for them
~ Write them a note or draw them a picture
~ Give them gifts
~ Do a photo shoot with them. (If they enjoy getting their picture taken!)
~ Play games with them
~ Pay attention to what they say
~ Play music together
~ Run around outside together
~ Write stories together
~ Make videos together
~ Help them with their school work
~ Pray for them and with them (my sister, Lily, really appreciates that!)
~ Just talk to them
~ Give them hugs/kisses
~ Praise them (This is a big one. When you praise them, they feel special and loved!)
~ Tell them "I love you" often
~ Study and memorize scripture with them
If you have any more ideas, I would love to hear them! Post your "making siblings best friends" ideas in the comments. Thanks!