Sibling Rivalry

Mom's not around to put your brother in the corner anymore, and besides, your adult sibling relationships are a little trickier than divvying up a candy bar. On top of the pressures of extended families, in-laws and parental caregiving, the last thing you need is strain on your sibling relationships, which are said to be the most influential and longest-lasting of all social bonds. Burying the hatchet right now may prevent an explosion of issues later on.

Call a Truce

It's "always somebody else's fault", and while that may be painfully true, that fact doesn't solve anything. Maybe it's time to grit your teeth and pick up the phone--it's not even necessary to bring up a past argument or whatever issue has been keeping you at odds. Talking can be the first step.

Set the Date

Consider a casual lunch date with your sibs. If they insist on bringing conflict into the mix, consider laying down a few ground rules about fighting: no blaming, no name-calling, no yelling. Preserving civility will allow all of you to see the issues more clearly and might make you more willing to forgive and forget.

Remediation Mediation

If you can't seem to exchange words without coarse language or finger-pointing, think about appointing an impartial mediator. It doesn't have to be a professional--ask a mutual friend or aunt or uncle. He or she can listen to all sides of a disagreement, facilitate discussion and possibly help you and your sibs reach an accord.

Agree To Disagree

Mr. Rogers was wrong--sometimes you really can't just get along, and it may not be worth your time and effort to fight a losing battle. Simply settling for a rocky relationship may be the best you can both manage and can at least confirm you're on the same page. You can finally agree on one thing, right?