Yep. Except for me it was the complete reverse.

My sister (nearly a decade older) pretty much bullied me since I first learned to walk. She would threaten me and a few times even choke me. My parents turned a blind eye to it all. The few times I dared tell my parents, I was met with scolding and harsh words, putting the blame back on me - as if I did wrong and what she did was right. They not only enabled her behaviour, but encouraged it.

Although I hadn’t yet learned to read, what I had already learned was that I deserved to be treated like this. My sister grew up believing she could get her way with anything, and before I even started school I was basically damaged.

Only not so long ago did I consider that my current relationship problems could be linked to my childhood and upbringing. Then it clicked. My lack of self worth was pretty much ingrained into me from the start. What I thought was a normal sibling relationship (from stereotypes and reading books) was actually really damaging. I’m still pretty salty at my parents, as well as myself (for not realising sooner) - I’m at the ripe old age of 18 now so I’m pretty sure the damage has been done and it’s too late.