Guess who'll be the person you'll probably know the longest in your life? Yep, it's your sister or your brother. You live together, play together, eat together, laugh together and fight together. Sisters and brothers can have terrific sharing relationships with each other, and be the closest of mates or friends. On the other hand, sisters and brothers can be infuriating at times.

Learning how to deal with conflict positively when you're young can set the scene for a positive relationship with your brother or sister for a long time to come, and help you learn to get along with other people outside the family.
Many things lead to arguments and fights between siblings, such as differences of opinion, misunderstandings, boredom, favoritism and manipulation.
Different opinions
Perhaps you live together, look alike, talk alike or have been taught the same things by your parents, but that doesn't mean you think alike.
You're still likely to have different opinions, talents and different ways of doing things.
Expressing your differences is a way of expressing your individuality.
Differences can cause friction or arguments or conflict.
Different opinions means there's just so much to argue about - the footy, music, movies, friends, etc.
But, when you think that one has to be right and one wrong, or when talking about your views turns into putdowns or insults - friction builds up and fights can break out.
It's not all bad to have differences.
Expressing your opinion and listening to your brother or sister's opinion can teach you new viewpoints, how to understand others and how to get along with all kinds of people.
You don't have to agree with each other. It's OK to disagree and have different opinions.
Misunderstandings
There are times when one person says something and the other understands it differently.
Misunderstandings can lead to friction.
Talking calmly together can help to clear up the misunderstanding. There's an old story about two people both wanting the last orange. They argue long and hard over who gets the orange. Finally, they really listen to each other. They find that one wants the orange for the juice to drink and the other wants the rind to flavor an orange cake. They share the orange and both get what they want in the end.
Make sure things are clear and that you understand things right.
If you discuss things with each other in a calm way, you might find that what you want fits in OK with the other.
Favoritism
If there is a favorite in the family, there is often a lot more fighting between the siblings and it's harder to deal with.
The favored brother or sister can feel guilty for being the favored one or sometimes looks down on the other.
The other brother or sister is likely to feel angry, resentful or jealous.
Is this happening for you? Can you talk to your parents about it?
Your parents may not even realize this is happening, so talk to them calmly, and not when you're feeling angry.
Say how you're feeling and why (give examples of some of the things that have happened).
Remember that parents don't treat each brother or sister exactly the same, because we're all different people.
If you've thought it out and talked to your parents and can't seem to get anywhere, perhaps you could try having a word to a counselor to help you work it through. You may want to see a counselor with your parent.
Boredom
Another starting point for conflict is boredom. Don't we all hate it? And what happens when brothers and sisters get bored?
It starts with a bit of picking and some teasing, perhaps calling each other names.
Next comes the creative art of being really annoying to get a good reaction – stuff like constantly flicking the TV channels over, or switching the TV off when the other is watching a program, or making repetitive noises that get inside your brother or sister's head and drive them crazy (car, robot, humming, anything really, as long as it's annoying).
What's good about brothers and sisters?
Most of the time you don't stay mad for too long. You get over it pretty quickly because there are so many positive things to having a brother or sister.
Friendship
Loyalty
Looking after each other
Sharing fun times
Sharing problems
Knowing each other all your lives
Belonging
Being there for each other
Laughter
Games
Secrets
Shared memories
Caring
Learning from each other.
All those things are part of having brothers and sisters, and they can get better as you get older.
(Source: cyh.com)