I know I was a pretty good son, and I think I did well enough as a father, but as time has gone on (I am 56, and both parents are dead) I have been thinking about my role as a brother. I had three brothers and no sisters. One has died, and one is estranged from the entire family by choice. Do you ever ask yourself if you were a good sibling to have, or if your siblings think of you as a true asset in their lives? Do you carry regrets about what kind of a brother you were?
Both of my brothers physically and verbally abused me, and my sister treated me dismissively--I was just an annoying (in her mind) younger sibling. Brotherly/sisterly love was not evident anywhere in my family.
Shouldn't be, and it was pretty violent. Not something I would have in my home with my children. Not normal or acceptable IMO. I have a damaged eye because of being hit in the head so often.
Depends on how you define abuse. Verbal and physical altercations are part of every siblings' childhood. Abuse shouldn't be.
For me, the verbal abuse was especially rough and went on from that I was 8 until I turned 16 (possibly even longer). It absolutely ruined everything that is self-esteem and confidence in me and still today, although we are friends, I do not trust him enough to talk about anything that concerns my life. The physical "abuse" was, I suppose, normal - don't all brothers have their fist fights? Since I am the younger, I was also the weaker and thus got beat up, lol.
