My cousins and I live in the same society and even attend the same school. This results in a lot of caring and sharing. We meet at either of the two flats to complete our homework, assignments and projects together.
My cousins and I are essentially good friends. We play badminton and other sports together in the play areas. We are quite thick! I am a single child but because of my cousins, I never feel lonely.
They are just a few towers away; we are there for each other, at all times.
However, there is a flipside too. We have fights about some silly things like what to watch on TV, who shall have the TV remote in his control, or for the quilt. Sometimes, they blackmail you by threatening to reveal your secrets that you had earlier shared with them, to parents or grandmother.
There are personality clashes too which lead to occasional conflicts/ disagreements, for which parents need to intervene with effective communication to resolve in such a manner that none of us feel hurt or unfairly treated.
Sometimes, there are comparisons in various aspects that put undue mental pressure on us and increases expectations from parents!
Evaluating the pros and cons, I must admit that living with cousins, sharing the family events and celebrations and different milestones is a lot of fun; the shared memories make life an ongoing adventure with built-in friends.
A bond is established that lasts a lifetime.
The challenges due to limited personal space and differing personalities do pop up and require acceptance and flexibility to navigate these rough edges but overall, the constant companionship and ready support create a warm family atmosphere.
