All sorts of defense mechanisms arise when we speak of how our sibling relates to us in different social contexts with them. One that is seldom discussed, but tends to happen to some of us is what’s called ambiguity. As we’ll come to see, ambiguity can be a power play that our sibling may furtherContinue reading “How Ambiguity Affects Sibling Connections”
Tag Archives: siblings
Understanding Sibling Estrangement: Ego Defense Mechanisms Explained
In our quest to understand the underpinnings of sibling estrangement, one particular perspective is almost universally experienced, and it’s that of our sibling’s ego defense mechanisms. These were initially described by Sigmund Freud, and later, his daughter Anna Freud expanded upon them. Many of us have been subjected to disproportionate reactions on our sibling’s part,Continue reading “Understanding Sibling Estrangement: Ego Defense Mechanisms Explained”
The “Almost” Sibling Relationship
Estrangement happens in degrees. Contrary to what some people may think, it’s more than about simply being estranged or not. It can be wildly confusing when you may still be talking with your sibling, yet feel there is something missing. Perhaps it’s certain subjects that are off limits, or an emotional depth that you somehowContinue reading “The “Almost” Sibling Relationship”
Understanding Sibling Estrangement: Recognizing Biases
Without realizing it, we can be subject to biases, through mental shortcuts and distorted thinking. This cannot be more true with sibling estrangement. It may well be that past interactions with us caused a brother or sister to unjustly add blame to justify their feelings or actions. Biases can color perceptions, and make it harderContinue reading “Understanding Sibling Estrangement: Recognizing Biases”
Indifference and Sibling Estrangement
The estrangement journey presents many different realities. Be it through the involuntary forms that arise with little to no answers when we’re on the receiving end, just as with situations that cause us to have to act and cut ties for our own good. And yet, there is another form of sibling estrangement that manifestsContinue reading “Indifference and Sibling Estrangement”
To send a Birthday Card or Not?
One particular question that comes up often in our online community is whether it’s the right behavior or not to send a birthday card to our sibling. While this can be a deceptively simple question to answer when there is no estrangement happening in your life with a particular family member, it can be aContinue reading “To send a Birthday Card or Not?”
The Inner Child and Sibling Estrangement
Our experience with sibling estrangement can leave a lasting mark on our lives. Being in an estrangement-prone family, we can be left with the experience of fear, hurt, misunderstanding, hostility, avoidance, or rigidity within us. These reactions can cause us to become something we are not, and play themselves out in unhealthy ways that driveContinue reading “The Inner Child and Sibling Estrangement”
Acknowledgment and Sibling Estrangement
As more and more of us start to name and understand sibling estrangement, we start to see the underlying elements that create suffering for us. These can include rumination, the lack of answers, the rejection of who we are, or the hijacking of a narrative about us within the family system that is false, justContinue reading “Acknowledgment and Sibling Estrangement”
Sibling Estrangement 