5 Reasons Why An Overprotective Older Sibling Is A Blessing, Not A Curse

Being overprotective has always gotten a bad wrap. You're automatically lumped into the category of being a complete buzz kill, an over-reactor and are often associated with words like possessive, territorial and controlling.

If you wear the title of an "overprotective sibling," you know exactly what I'm talking about. Try as you might to fight the negative connotation that label brings, but I'm here to tell you there is absolutely no point.

As a crowned "overprotective sibling" myself, trust me; I speak from experience.

I'm lucky to have siblings with whom I'm super close. Growing up, we were always together. From shameless pranks for quick laughs to binge-watching "Law and Order: SVU" marathons to the many family outings that provided endless jokes, we were always on the same team.

Being close gave us a relationship many others could only wish they could have with their own siblings. It also fed my instinct to watch out for my siblings and protect them.

Now, if you're the "overprotected" sibling reading this, I'm sure there have been quite a few times when being overprotected was more annoying than anything else.

You've probably had moments when you wished your sibling would leave you alone so you could do what you wanted to do without having to hear an opinion about it.

Let's be honest: If you wanted an opinion, you would have asked, right? WRONG!

We, overprotective siblings, are notorious for our unwanted opinions; it's in our DNA to give them to you. True, we might think we know best — and, sometimes, we do.

But, here's the thing: If we don't share our opinions, and then something goes wrong, we automatically shoulder part of the blame.

It's partially our fault because we should have told you, been there for you or helped you. We expect so much from ourselves as the older siblings that we just want to make sure life doesn't give you more trouble than it should.

Now, how can you hate on someone with reasons like that? Having an overprotective sibling may be a pain in the ass sometimes, but what we are willing to do for you should definitely make up for that.

Here's why an overprotective sibling is a blessing in your life:

You will always get an honest opinion.

Honesty is an overprotective sibling's best policy. Mom and Dad may hold back and spin their answers a certain way, but we will give it to you straight.

We will talk it out with you, try to see it from your prospective and draw upon our own experiences to ensure the opinion we give is well thought-out.

You also don't have to worry about us spilling secrets or having ulterior motives. We know all too well that, sometimes, parents just don't understand.

If anyone hurts or tries to hurt you, it's GAME OVER!

This is probably the most overprotective thing to say, but it's entirely true. Whether it be physically or verbally, messing with someone who has an overprotective sibling is not a very smart thing to do.

We are like our younger siblings' own personal bodyguards who aren't afraid of anything an outsider could possibly threaten.

So, if people know what's good for them, they won't give us any reason to track them down. First, it's a lot of work, and we prefer having a good time. Second, we really don't want to be mean, but if we don't have a choice, that's what will happen. I'm just saying...

Significant others better watch out.

Sorry to all significant others who come across an overprotective sibling because it was over as soon as we knew you existed. You will be judged and viewed under a microscope. When we meet you, we will pick you apart.

Some of us will be nice and wait to see how you conduct yourself, while others will immediately come across as cold as possible.

We act this way because we know you hold the power to really hurt our siblings. It will take a long time before you can truly be accepted by an overprotective sibling and even longer to be truly liked.

However, if an overprotective sibling approves of you from the beginning, consider yourself incredibly lucky because you were spared a difficult journey.

If trouble finds you, we'll help you to get out of it.

Trouble and sticky situations happen; it's a fact of life. However, with an overprotective sibling, you always have someone to help brainstorm ways to either get you out of trouble or lessen the repercussions.

Whether it's overcharging your credit card and needing to borrow money, or you need help trying to explain to Mom and Dad where you were all night, we're there for you.

We will try to help you out, even if we have to take some of the fall for it because, as overprotective siblings, that's just what we do. Lucky you!

We will always be in your corner — for the good, bad and the ugly.

If you have an overprotective sibling, you know that no matter what happens in life -- whether you win countless awards or you lose your job and end up sleeping on our couch --, we will be there for you. You know you have someone in your corner at all times who is ready to take on the world for you.

We're happy to be a shoulder to lean on; we will cheer for you, and we will lend you a helping hand.

An overprotective sibling will go above and beyond for you and will try his or her absolute hardest not to let you down.

We may be hard to deal with at times, and it's a guarantee we will probably overstep some boundaries, but know that it's all done with good intentions and out of love.

Photo Courtesy: We Heart It