social commentary Sunday . . . 'sibling rivalry - when you're an adult'

Greetings all,

Oh yes, this old chestnut . . . sibling rivalry . . . when you're an adult, really, will it end?? 
Today's post was triggered by my sister, who enjoys the role of gossip information conduit in the family.  It's easy when she calls our parents 3 times a day!!  As much as i love her, she was the sibling who would say "no offence, but you're ugly" . . . it's not constructive, it's plain mean.  She also starts every conversation with a passive aggressive "have you spoken to Mum & Dad lately" when she knows i only talk to them once a week or less.  I save up interesting things to tell them about my life, they know i care, i don't hassle.

Anyway, while i was recording the 'leaps' at the 13y.o. girls' long jump at Athletics yesterday, my mobile was running hot with SMS from my sister.  To wrap it up, I texted "hands sore, pressing buttons hurts, will have to have surgery soon".  My carpal tunnel has hit new heights of swelling, aches & numbness.  By the time i got home . . . Dad had already called twice, freaking out with worry (he has Mum's Alzheimer's to deal with, he's on a need-to-know basis about any of my dramas). 

I said to my father, this was my business & not for her to tell you, 2 minutes later.  I was going to tell him after i had confirmation of surgery options next week.  Ok, so you're thinking 'she's caring & worried about her little sister', but this is the millionth thing she's blabbed about before i've had a chance to tell my parents.  Flash back to when i was 18 & she delighted in telling my parents that i had sex!!  Was not in a rush to share that news, but it was my news.  Spending most of my adult life not living in Sydney, i've enjoyed my privacy & independence, especially raising our children.    
Don't worry, i've told her exactly how i feel, like i have the million times before.  I just can't believe it still happens.  Why!!??  I've suffered carpal tunnel since i was 28 & was pregnant with my son, it's no secret, everyone knows i sleep with metal hand splints, it's been 8 years & recently escalated thus considering surgery. 
I realised in our 20s . . . when my sister, Mum & i would get together, my sister would strive aggressively for Mum's attention.  So i backed off, i had my own relationship with our Mum, & with my new attitude, our get togethers would go swimmingly.  Seems like my sister has never let go of the sibling rivalry (my sisters-in-law tell me my brothers are the same).  Isn't that weird??  All grown up, we get on brilliantly, until our parents arrive & the competition for their attention is on.  Trust me, we all had plenty of positive attention from our devoted parents throughout our childhoods!!  We are all so different, careers, children, lifestyles, futures, i don't know what any of us is trying to 'rival'?? 
Do you notice sibling rivalry in your adult version of being a sister or brother??  What triggers it??  Are you dreading the upcoming festive season of enforced family events??  Love Poise
PS my crafty friends with sore hands . . . my surgeon brother said if i left my carpal tunnel any longer, i could do irreparable nerve damage. Yikes!!  Surgery here i come.  Edit: surgery can be done with a local anaesthetic, by a general surgeon in their office - who knew it could be that simple??  I didn't & i've put it off, suffered severe pain, now i feel quite silly.  You can seek out a hand specialist & a general anaesthetic if you wish . . . if you have 'the hands of a surgeon' or something special.  You can even drive an automatic car & continue on with your life immediately (as much as i'd prefer to be treated like the Queen & wave to my subjects - make their own bloody lunches!!)  Warning: if you do both hands at once, who is going to wipe your bottom??  Just saying.