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I’m the older sister in my family, and growing up with a younger brother, I always felt the weight of setting a good example. And I tried my best, I really did, but he was a pro at pushing my buttons. Naturally, this led to some ridiculous arguments—we’d fight over the last cookie and the TV remote like it was a matter of life and death.

At Bored Panda, we were curious about what other silly things siblings bicker about, so we went looking around on the internet. We found a bunch of hilarious and relatable moments, and just had to share them with you. Check out our favorites below, and don’t forget to upvote the ones that made you smile!

P.S. Don’t tell my brother, but… I might have secretly made sure he got the bigger piece of that last cookie every time.

“Competition with siblings is just a fact of life. And we, as people with siblings and people with children, can just try to manage it as best we can,” says Jeanine Vivona, a professor of psychology at the College of New Jersey.

While it may be surprising, these conflicts, as long as they don’t go too far, can actually help children become capable adults. Through these experiences, they learn to listen, cooperate, manage emotions, and solve problems—all crucial for building strong relationships.

#2

Things-Siblings-Fight-Over

thearibradford Report

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_-DungeonKeeper-_
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5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pfffft I just laughed too hard I too will damage my spleen if you keep touching her balls (pffffft bahahaha)

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Moreover, during fights, children can actually develop their unique personalities. By taking a stand for something they believe in, they figure out what truly matters to them – their favorite activities, hobbies, and passions. This self-discovery can make them feel more confident and independent as they grow up.

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For parents, though, these disagreements can be a big headache on top of everything else they have to deal with. Experts say it’s important not to brush them off and to help kids find ways to work things out instead. “The more proactive you can be, the better off you’re going to be in terms of setting the stage for success,” advises Stephanie Lee, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute.

It takes patience, but stepping in when needed can prevent deeper rifts between siblings and create a more peaceful family dynamic in the long run.

#7

Things-Siblings-Fight-Over

aliaynusz Report

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Michael Largey
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can only ask me for a kidney twice, but there's no limit to those water trips.

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When children are left to handle everything on their own, there’s a chance things can escalate to full-blown bullying. This can have lasting effects, as kids who are picked on by their brothers or sisters often grow up feeling less competent and happy in life. Studies also find that bullying increases the likelihood of experiencing depression and engaging in self-harm during adulthood.

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Thankfully, there are some tips you can follow to resolve even the silliest fights. The key is to understand why they happen in the first place. Look for patterns; your children’s constant toy battles could have a different explanation.

“What the kids might really be fighting for is their parents’ attention after they’ve played nicely for a long period of time,” says Dr. Lee. “Kids aren’t really so concerned about the toy, it’s more that they’ve figured out these patterns of behavior that when I yell, when I kick, someone gets involved immediately.”

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Things-Siblings-Fight-Over

maryfairybobrry Report

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AKA AKA
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5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes, we are all the fastest winners just dont tell her lil sibling

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Another great strategy to discourage negative behaviors is to focus on reinforcing positive ones. Dr. Lee recommends praising your children when they behave well by saying, “Wow, great job taking turns”, or “I love how you guys are playing together”.

#16

Things-Siblings-Fight-Over

mommajessiec Report

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Upstaged75
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My 3 year old niece once threw a massive tantrum because her brother gave their mom a high 5. Apparently she's the only one who's allowed to do that! Kids are weird.

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Sally Beville Hunter, a clinical associate professor in child and family studies at the University of Tennessee, reminds parents that when you’re praising children, it should be done so that all of them can hear you. However, if you need to correct one child, take them aside to talk privately, away from their sibling. Or else, the other child might use it against them later, saying something along the lines of, “Mom said you couldn't jump off the couch!”

#17

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pro_worrier_ Report

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kitten levels tokyo
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Public Service Announcement: “All kids fight all the time” sums up this entire listicle.

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If you choose to break up a fight by taking away something from your kids, like a toy they can’t share, always give it back. Do so within a few minutes, Dr. Lee stresses, and encourage them to collaborate by taking turns to play.

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#21

Things-Siblings-Fight-Over

sweetmomissa Report

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Nosirrow
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My older brother and I were arguing. Mother gave us log wood and ordered us to hit each other. My brother hated me and was 3 years older, so I was scared. He didn't hit me. Now I'd like to beat him to death with bare hands.

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#22

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XplodingUnicorn Report

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Norm Gilmore
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a thing. Trying to get as close as you can to smacking each other with your hands while not making connection, and then they zig when you thought they were going to zag. So technically...

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Finally, look for moments to gather as a family. “Try to find common activities that allow everyone to be flexible, and to feel connected,” suggests Vivona. For instance, if one child loves dancing and another prefers chess, everyone can still bond over a movie night together.

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So, don’t be discouraged by sibling quarrels. Use them as an opportunity to grow closer and create some funny memories to look back on!

#27

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Wordesse Report

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General Anaesthesia
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's your turn! No it isn't, it's yours! I did it last time! No you didn't, I did!

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#28

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RodLacroix Report

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Riley Quinn
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I fed all the cats the same food, but they would change bowls, hiss and smack each other, until I separated them.

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#29

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sarcasticmommy4 Report

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Tabitha
Community Member
5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes. The old “you’re breathing too loud—-no I’m not, you are” argument. I remember it well, including when I had it with my brothers when I was a kid, back in the sixties and seventies. Some things never change.

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#31

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being childfree looks better and better the further I go down this list XD Though, my two cats fight all the time, so.... XD

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#33

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saltymermaident Report

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BlitheSpirit
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As the mother of twin boys, yeah, you’d have to find an identical broken plastic fork 🙄

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#34

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deloisivete Report

#35

Things-Siblings-Fight-Over

TheEmmeReynolds Report

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One Happy Doggo
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad would hold them behind his back and make us choose a side so we couldn’t say that he did that on purpose lol

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#38

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whinecheezits Report

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Lauren S
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like there is a clear answer to this one , even if they’re twins.

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#39

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sarcasticmommy4 Report

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Samsquatch & Monko
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m the sibling who starts that arguement… “STOP BREATHING SO LOUD!!” “WHAT, DO YOU WANT ME T9 STOP BREATHING!?” “YES PLEASE DO THAT”

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#42

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notmythirdrodeo Report

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Joanne Earle
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looking back on my childhood I kinda feel bad that my dad built me a lovely wooden dollhouse and I was gifted many pretty furniture pieces from the Yield House.....and I ended up making my own dollhouse for some stuffed animals out of a large box that I added sections to for walls/floors and built all my own furniture out of cardboard and fabric and pictures cut from magazines. In my defense, my mom would constantly rearrange the furniture in the wood dollhouse to the way SHE wanted them. I'd get home and be like, 'do you want me to put this in your room then?' The furniture is beautiful and all but fragile. You don't give that stuff to a 7 year old. I wanted a house I could play with my own way.

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#43

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Theater nerd
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not fair! We were very attached to our imaginary plot that we put blood, sweat, tears, and a whole 126 seconds into!

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#44

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whineygingercat
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those always ended up in Barbie's house. They made great side tables, night stands and when I covered the top with scrap fabric - a footstool

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#46

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Aerial (Any pronouns/Canadian/Jewish)
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother and I actually are friends, so despite being an older sister, I can't relate to this list at all. It's wild. (I think the closest I've gotten to one of these is my brother refuses to sword-fight me any more because I kept winning)

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#48

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Samsquatch & Monko
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me and my sister used to do this… until our parents realized that we have 2 bathrooms.

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#50

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RodLacroix Report

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DrBronxx
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This seems reasonable, to be honest. People argue about characters, TV shows, movies, sports teams, players, etc. Why not YouTubers?

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