Sibling Relationships and Chronic Illness

[okarol]

Jenna's godmother asked her "Do you think your brothers and sister sometimes get jealous of you?"
Jenna said "What?? Because I am sick? No, I don't think so!"
And the godmother said "I mean, because you get so much attention from your parents."
Jenna said "I don't think any of them want to change places with me!"
So that made me think. Then I saw a couple IHD gals in the chatroom that night, and they both
confirmed that their illness at a young age strained their relationships with siblings. And sometimes with parents.
So I asked my son (18) and daughter (16) if they ever felt jealous. They both said yes, early on, they just
did not understand what was going on, why their parents were suddenly unavailable. I never had a clue. It's hard
to see what they are going through when the sick kid need so much help.
Just wondering if others experienced the same thing.

[angieskidney]

Yes, I guess my brothers were a bit jelous. But now that they are older they admit they don't EVER want to know what kidney failure is like. Infact my one brother is so scared that he won't even talk about kidney donation with me.

It affects everyone differently but as kids they may not realize the details and only notice the attention.

[goofynina]

I highly doubt my siblings are the least bit jealous of me.   

[angela515]

I got sick when I was 12, my brothers were 10,9, and 8.. they were jealous of all the attention i got and presnts and they said I got whatever I wanted. I remember when i got what I asked for from Make a Wish and I shared it with my brothers, they enjoyed that... even thouh I had to almost die to get it, lol. After they got older they understood the situation better and werent jealous, but when they were younger they were jealous, not of the being sick... but of the special attention i got. Its human natur i think, especially for kis when one child is getting more attention, for whatever reason.

[carolyn77531]

i dont think the other kids got jelouse....they didnt understand.....becouse i had to make decisions...they didnt like....i had to go let them live with there dad for awhile....was a single parent back then...what im talking still a single parent....many guys dont like to get into this situation...they usaully run

[AlasdairUK]

I was 15 when I started dialysis and almost died a couple of times. I'm pretty sure, but have never actually asked my two older sisters of 2 and 5 years. I think they where more concerned about losing their brother than the fact I was getting any extra attention.

[shay_pcb]

I'm pretty sure my sister has been jealous of all my medical problems my whole life. Well, not my medical problems, but the attention from them. She was always trying to outdo me in everything else, such as joining the army and when we would sing in the car with our mom, she would get louder and louder until you couldn't hear me at all. When I got my bloodclot and thyroid storm, she started acting out and rebelling to get attention. Now she's been kicked out of school her senior year, kicked out of my mom's house, and is about to get kicked out of the Army for not graduating high school. She has a job, but she just got it a few weeks ago and was an hour late already...She won't have that job for long either. Anyway, my point was that as my medical problems got worse, she got worse. I think it's bc she wants the attention. She's ruining her life though...I wish I could help her realize it...

[bluedove57]

My family isn't jealous at all. I think they're glad it's me and not them. Older brother is a minister and said he wouldn't do dialysis cause he hates needles. He would rather die. My kids don't relize I'm sick because they say I look so good and couldn't tell I have a condition. I thank God for that and make up to .

[Rerun]

Oddly enough people are jealous of me.  I have no idea why.  But, I've had them tell me so.   

[brenda]

I'm pretty sure neither my brother or my sister are or ever were jealous in any way. They are just glad it isn't them.