Only children and sibling relationships: We compare childhoods

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For those of us that didn't grow up with siblings, there's a genuine curiosity about sibling bonds, sibling rivalry ... basically all things siblings.

According to HealthyChildren.org, 80 percent of people grow up with a sibling — with gender, age and personality all playing a role in the dynamic of sibling relationships.

In this Forever 39 episode, we discuss our experiences with siblings and without. Megan, who was raised in a household with two sisters, relishes her alone time as an adult, but lives across the street from her older sister, and she wouldn't want it any other way. Meanwhile, Annette thinks her days playing Monopoly alone as a child gave her a unique set of skills not everyone has.

And while Megan experienced a great relationship with her sisters growing up, things are even better now that they're all adults. According to a report by Michigan State University Extension, there are at least five different types of relationships siblings can experience in adulthood:

Intimate
Congenial
Loyal
Apathetic
Hostile

What type of relationship do you have with your sibling? Do you have a better relationship with your sibling now that you're both adults, or was it easier to relate to each other when you were children?

If you have a personal story to share about growing up with a sibling, tell us your story by emailing us at forever39@nj1015.com.

Also from this week's Forever 39 podcast — Dating in your 40s. PLUS: VIP experiences we'd love to have. Click on the podcast player above to hear the entire episode.

Share your thoughts on all of them below, on Twitter, on Facebook or at forever39@nj1015.com.

— Annette and Megan, Forever 39

Get to know your hosts: Annette and Megan

Join us for next week’s podcast when we chat about the questions you should ask yourself before ending a romance, back-to-school anxiety, and fall's top fashion trends.