Relationships with your siblings（兄弟姐妹）can help you practice social skills. Having a good relationship with them can help you communicate with other people, and understand other people's feelings. You can even learn things when you don't get on with your siblings. When you have argued（争吵）with them, you have to work out how to be in the same space as them. As a result, you often learn how to accept differences. It is very useful in the outside world.

It's completely normal（正常的）that sometimes you and your sibling won't see eye to eye. "Have a good think about why the two of you don't get on. Try to talk when you both cool down," says Dr. Owen, a researcher in new children develop. "Tell them how you feel. You could say, 'It really hurts me when you make jokes about me.' If the trouble carries on, talk to a trusted adult（成年人）."

All families are different. What if you don't have siblings? That doesn't mean you won't experience the advantages people get from having a brother or sister. There are ways to help only children develop these skills too.