a team of rivals

Few relationships are as complicated, as close, as glorious and infuriating as the ones we share with our siblings. Even our romantic relationships, as textured and occasionally rocky as they are, pale in comparison; at least we get to choose who we create family with. Our siblings are simply there, foisted upon us without our consent, wildly different individuals who know us better than anyone else—our strengths, our weaknesses, our shames. Is it any wonder they sometimes drive us up the proverbial wall?

While single-child families are on the rise throughout the Western world, the most common experience for children is still to have one or more siblings—more than 80 per cent of kids live with at least one brother or sister. And for many of us, these are the most pivotal relationships we’ll ever have. Research has shown that positive sibling relationships help foster empathy, build social skills and boost academic achievement. However, when our bonds with our brothers and sisters go south, the consequences can be catastrophic. Uneasy sibling relationships have been