Expert: Dr Tim Gladu - 8/29/2008

Question
Brother B has gone on group outings (IE, with other siblings) with Sister A. On a few occasion, he asked sister A out alone, to accompany him to get clothes and have meals together which sister A agreed. As late-sleepers, they would often chat with one another late into the night on MSN. They will catch up with how each other’s day been, chat about encounters they had during the day etc. They did not mention any of their one-to-one outings/late night conversation to anyone else.


Is there anything wrong with this thing about spending so much time together but the brother may have receive a wrong signal from the sister?


Answer
Mary,

The brother sister relationship is a different and dynamic thing. The best thing about having a close relationship with your sister is you are able to really open up and allowed to be yourself. My own kids spent time together and I found it to be very nice because no matter where they went they always had a friend. If they are close in age the chances are even greater that they will be close. If they are just speaking and spending time together I find nothing wrong with this. If you think they are doing anything besides just speaking and spending time together then that could be a problem. A brother and sister being close is not in itself a bad thing.