Nancy:Isn't this a great time of year?
Families get together over the holidays.
Yasmani:Maybe it's nice for some families, but I dread my family get-togethers.
Nancy:How come?
Yasmani:I have a big family and there has always been a lot of sibling rivalry.
Nancy:I'm sure that was true when you were growing up, but you've all grown out of it, haven't you?
Yasmani:Not us.
The firstborn still thinks he's in charge, the middle children still act up to get attention, and the baby of the family is still rebellious.
Nancy:That's true in a lot of families.
Yasmani:Yes, but when we get together, we compete to show up the others.
We brag, argue, and nitpick.
It's rather pathetic, actually.
Nancy:How do your parents handle all that?
Yasmani:They've always left us to our own devices.
We just fight it out amongst ourselves.
Nancy:So, there's no loving bond between the siblings.
Yasmani:Oh, we love each other, but we compete with other, too. It's complicated.
Nancy:Then I should be glad to be an only child?
Yasmani:That's right. Count your blessings!
