Do you have an older sister who is always telling you what to do? If so, you’re not alone. A lot of people have an older sister who likes to be in control. In fact, some people would say that having a controlling older sister is a rite of passage for young people.
In other words; if you have an older sister, there’s a good chance she’s a bit of a control freak. It’s just in their nature. Most of them feel like they have to be in charge all the time.
But what can you do if your older sister is always trying to get the final word on everything you do? If you have an older sister who likes to control everything, it can be tough to get through the day without a major argument. However, there are some things you can do to diffuse the situation and avoid an all-out battle.
5 Steps to deal with a controlling older sister:
1- Talk to her about her character:
There’s nothing worse than having a controlling older sister. She’s always telling you what to do, and she never lets you make your own decisions. It’s like she’s the parent and you’re the child.
The first thing you can do in this scenario is to try to have a discussion with her and explain how her behavior is affecting you. It’s important to be calm and respectful during this conversation. If she doesn’t listen or tries to brush you off, you can try explaining in a calm and clear manner just how serious you are.
Talk to her about her controlling behavior and let her know that it’s not okay. It might be hard to stand up to her, but it’s important to assert yourself. Otherwise, she’ll just continue to treat you like you were her child. Even though she’s your sister, it’s not acceptable for her to treat you like this.
If you talk to her then hopefully it will make her realize that you’re not her responsibility and that she’s not welcome to dictate your life!
2- Try building a good relationship with her:
It can be tough having an older sister who’s always trying to control you. She might tell you what to wear, who to hang out with, or how to do your hair. It can feel like she’s always looming over you, ready to criticize everything you do. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
One good way to change the situation around is to try building a good relationship with her. Talk to her about your day, listen to her advice, and let her know that you appreciate her. You may not see eye to eye on everything, but if you can maintain a positive relationship, it will make life a lot easier. Plus, she’ll be more likely to listen to you when you need her to.
Also, try to see things from her perspective. It’s possible that she’s just trying to protect you from making the same mistakes she did at your age. Building a relationship with a controlling sister, that doesn’t involve constantly being told what to do, can be very hard. But, if you stay positive and give it a try you may find a way to make it work.
3- Set boundaries and stand up for yourself:
Another thing you can do to cope with having a controlling older sister is not to shy away from speaking up. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and set boundaries. If your sister is constantly crossing the line, let her know in no uncertain terms that it’s not okay.
When she wants to control you in some way, try to stay calm and avoid getting defensive. This will only escalate the situation and give your sister more ammunition to use against you.
it’s important to try to stay calm and avoid getting into arguments with her. If she starts to get bossy, politely tell her that you’re not interested in doing what she wants and walk away. You can also express how she can never tell you what to do, especially when it comes to specific topics and areas of your life.
For instance, if she’s trying to tell you not to date someone specifically and has no justification to justify her claims. You can try to make it as clear as possible that your dating life is not open for discussion, especially not with her. Let her know that any time she gives you advice on it, she will be ignored and she’ll be wasting her time for sure.
4- Involve an authoritative figure:
If nothing works, don’t hesitate to ask for help if the situation gets too overwhelming. In this case, it’s important to let your parents know what’s going on. They can help you deal with her and maybe even help her change her behavior. They may be able to have a talk with her that will help her tone down her control-freak tendencies.
It’s also important to talk to someone who can help her understand that what she’s doing is unacceptable. Maybe she’s struggling with something and doesn’t know how to express it in a healthy way.
Whatever the case may be, it’s important to try to understand her and see things from her perspective. It’s not easy having a controlling older sister, but it can be a lot easier if you have the right support system in place.
5- Don’t let her destroy your self-confidence:
In the end, there are a lot of benefits to having an older sister too. They can help you with your homework, introduce you to new friends, and teach you how to stand up for yourself. However, if yours is a literal nightmare; and the type of person who likes to be in control then the least you can do is not to let her behavior affect your mental health and self-confidence.
In fact, if your sister is always telling you what to do, it can be frustrating and even overwhelming. You may start to feel like you can’t do anything right, and that can take a toll on your self-confidence. In this case, it’s important to remember that you are your own person, and you should make decisions that are right for you; even if that means going against your sister’s wishes.
With a little effort, you can learn to stand up, make your own mistakes and learn from them, and also shelter yourself from her attacks. But, most importantly you can learn to build self-confidence; while believing that your hard work and efforts are more than enough!
In the end, you can also check this article out where we listed a few reasons and causes for jealous siblings, just in case that’s your sister’s hidden issue with you.