10 Inspiring Ways to be a Better Big Sister

good big sister

“A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.”- Badora James

When mom and dad don’t understand, a sister always will. Sisters are good, harsh, complicated, and everything in between. Having a sister is both a punishment and a gift any way you see it. You both share memories nobody else can ever connect within a special way. Your sister may inspire you or cause you a headache but she is your sister and nothing will come in your way that could change it. Being a big sister is fun but is also a great responsibility. So for you to be a good, loving, and better big sister you might want to consider the following ways.

1. Be a confidante.
Show your siblings that they have a shoulder to cry on. Someone they can talk to and keep their secrets safe (you are not a spy for your parents). Be their partner in crime, their midnight companion, and their human diary.

2. Talk through any issues.
Issues are bound to arise and when they do, give your sibs the chance to say their concerns. Listen to them, be calm and respect their decisions. You should give advice not commands.

3. Be a good example.
Respect and listen to your parents, apologize when you’re wrong, and work hard in school or in your job. That would make you your sibs’ ideal person.

4. Compromise.
If it isn’t a big deal let it go. If you both like and want to buy the same dress, let her have it.  (Tip: You can still wear the dress. You can borrow it anytime!)

Inspiring Ways to be a Better Big Sister
Photo by jty11117777

5.Keep in contact if you don’t live together.
Make sure to stay in touch with your sibs. Have time to check on them. Let them know you’re just a call and text away.

6.Encourage them.
If your sibs are feeling down or in doubt, encourage them. Try to ease their fears and let them know they can do anything if they set their mind to it.

7. Give your support.
Give your sibs good luck if they have an upcoming test or a job interview, if they will be receiving an award be sure to show up for the ceremony. Support them at important events.

8. Make them gifts.
Get or make them thoughtful gifts for their birthdays or holidays, this will show how much you care for them.

9. Have one on one time.
Have time for your sister. It’s a time for both of you to relax and get to know one another more. Treat her, share meals together or do fun activities together. You might not want to be the boring big sister ever.

 Inspiring Ways to be a Better Big Sister
Photo by Petrucy

10. Say I love you.
Remind your siblings every single day how much you care for them. Tell them you love them. If you’re not much of a talker, then show how important they are to you. After all, action speaks louder than words.

Siblings may be annoying sometimes but they’re your family, they’ve seen your best and your worst yet they are still there for you. Love them unconditionally. Tell them because they have the best sister, they will always have a friend. Show them there is no better big sister than you.

Books recommended for you:

ALSO READ:

15 Ways to Love Your Siblings

11 Effective Ways to Get Close to Your Sister

16 Cool Ways to Get Close to Your Brother

10 Inspiring Ways to be a Better Friend

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez

Ma. Myrelle Montallana
Myrelle loves photography, writing and reading good books. She is a Thalassophile and an Opacarophile. She believe that it's the little things that matters.

34 thoughts on “10 Inspiring Ways to be a Better Big Sister”

  1. I was a REALLY mean big sis, and it did not help the family. When I wanted to become better, I reacerched how to be a better big sis, and now the whole family is happy!!!!!! So thx!!!!

    Reply
  2. I want to be a good elder sister…. But I can’t somehow… I know I am mean to her and hurt her feelings alot . At times I love her alot but sometimes I hate her for no reason.i seriously wasn’t to change myself. But it is very hard to do so. I feel sorry for her for having a sister like me. I’ll try to be a better sis by taking the help of above mentioned tips.

    Reply
  3. I am an older sister of an eight year old, a four year old and a two year old. They always follow me around and never leave me alone but I know they just want to play with me but I am always busy. My mom says I yell at them too much and I totally agree. I just wish I could be a little more gentle but still tell them no. Being a sister is hard and having a baby sister around the house means that whenever my friends are here they always play with her instead of hanging out with me. I sometimes wish I can be an only child but I remind myself that without siblings, I would be really lonely and have no one to play with. I love my siblings and I would do anything for them. I went to this website to learn how to be a better sister and hopefully these tips will help.

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  4. i have a older sis and i am one aswell there are three of us but my older sis she works hard she does all the things in the list so all im trying to say u should respect them the same way they respect you.

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  5. Same with me she just said her other sister is the best and I’m the worst be cause I am sup pose to help her learn but this still helped me thankyou

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  6. I am a big sister to two brothers and one sister. This advice is so very great!
    I am 13 and find it hard to be nice to my two younger brothers because they can be very rude to me sometimes…they don’t treat me how a older sister wants to be treated.
    I will very much try to use this advice because I want them to love me, I want to be known as THE BEST sister they could ever have 🙂
    Thank you for the great advice!

    -Lydia

    Reply
  7. I fight a lot with my younger sister as she is a “tween” and I’m a teenager. She’s super embarrassing cuz she’ll do anything to make people laugh, but no one ever does. She’d be cute if she wasn’t so socially awkward. It doesn’t help that everyone tells me she looks and sounds like me. I am NOTHING like her. I am practical and normal and she’s rowdy and annoying, and I don’t have the patience for her. The thing is she doesn’t even realize it and she puts up walls that don’t let anyone reason with her. It just gets SOOO frustrating. I just have to keep trying though I guess. Idk.

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  8. I am a big sister and try my hardest but….yeah. She’s going through her “tween” stage while I’m a teenager. We clash more than my parents are okay with. I picture myself as the practical and normal one while she is the embarrassing rash rowdy one that’ll do about anything – a lot of times anything overboard – that’ll get people to laugh, and..no one ever does. To me she’s socially awkward but she thinks the complete opposite of herself, which isn’t a good thing. I don’t have the patience for her…I’ll just keep trying I guess. But to all you who think your big sisters are mean, a lot of times they’re just stressed and embarrassed of you, sorry to be frank. Take thought of how you act around them and their friends or other people in public. I guess it takes two to fight and you both have to work on getting along, though.

    Reply
    • Hey Eve,

      I totally get having a tween sister while being a teen. I was 17 when my sisters were 12 and 10! To this day I struggle keeping peace with them and understanding their points of view (sometimes they seem so unlogical my brain implodes). It is important, however, to keep in mind how your younger sister might be feeling! It’s soooo hard, but if you’re able to sit her down and ask her how she’s doing, have a light-hearted or heart-to-heart conversation, it would do your relationship wonders. The teenage years are such a tricky time, don’t get me wrong. But you can use that to be there for her as she is about to enter those obstacles. Let her know you’re there for her, regardless of how rash and rowdy she is at times or how much she gets on your nerves. Laugh about it as much as you can.

      And, I really admire you for acknowledging that last line. You’re right, it does take two to fight. Once you can see things from her point of view, you might find it a lot easier to live with her and get along! I believe in you guys 🙂

      All the best

      Reply
    • I have five younger siblings, and they hate me (at least it feels like it). And I can tell you, it’s not as easy as it seems. My siblings don‘t want a shoulder to cry on, especially not mine. My sister is 14 months younger than me, and she is at least an inch taller, and wants to be « better » than me. IT’S NOT AS EASY AS IT SEEMS!!?

      Reply
  9. i am a big sister. i am a mean big sister. but i have found that the reason i Pick on my younger sibling is only because i love them.

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    • I’m. Big sis and I don’t know how to be a good one and this advice might make my sis happy again me and her are having issues but I am trying my best thx🦋✨

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    • Thank you I am trying to be the best big sister I’m 13 and my sister is 8. We fight a lot I took quizzes to see if I am a good sister and one came back and I felt horrid. So I looked up ways to be a better sister and I saw this. I am going to take this advice and put it into our relationship together.

      Thank you

      Reply

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