Diary of a Gen Z student: It’s difficult when sibling relationships become more adult

"If you’re lucky, the longest relationship you’ll have in your life is with your siblings. It’s difficult when those relationships have to become more adult. That’s something I’ve been learning a lot about."

28th February, 2024. Trinity College student and Irish Examiner columnist Jane Cowan photographed at her home in Dunshaughlin, County Meath.Photo:Barry Cronin

There’s something funny about being the youngest child. You watch as your siblings become adults, while you’re still being told to brush your teeth before bed. With four children, our house was always noisy. 

Mornings before school, there’d be a queue for the shower. Tea always brewed in batches of six. And an argument about who had to take the middle seat in the car. Being the smallest sibling meant the burden of the middle seat in the car usually fell on me.