Jack Jones reckons he talks to his twin sister more than most people talk to their siblings.
He would guess at least four times a week, but then also says they’d touch base daily if not every other day.
When we asked the Re: News audience how often they chat to their siblings, 32% said every day, 33% said once a week, 25% said once a month, and 9% said never.
Jack and his twin sister Healy are 27 and have always been close.
Jack and Healy aren't just twins, they're best mates (Photo: Supplied)
“We grew up together, lived with each other, went through school together, had the same group of friends, hung out with each other, did things together, went to uni together.
“I’ve basically been hanging out with her for the last 27 years.”
The beauty of family
Jack says he often gets bored on his drive home from work so will give Healy a ring to catch up saying he probably “annoys her” more than she does him.
He says they’re pretty involved whether it be a message to the family group chat, organising a get together, or just catching up.
With Healy he can talk about things he might not feel comfortable chatting to his other mates about, Jack says.
Jack and Healy have gone through everything together and share the same group of friends (Photo: Supplied).
“We’re lucky that we’re the same age, have the same friends, enjoy the same things, so there’s a lot to discuss, she’s just a really good friend of mine so why not talk to her?
“The beauty of family is that you can always expect them to be there and listen to you. Whatever I say doesn’t make a difference and she has to put up with it.”
Family dynamics can be complicated
Associate professor at Massey University and senior clinical psychologist Kirsty Ross says sibling relationships have been found to be incredibly valuable as your sibling is the first person you learn to argue with, negotiate with, and compromise with.
She says nobody knows your childhood better than your sibling, however that doesn’t always result in friendship.
“You spend the most time with people who reflect your interests and values and if that isn’t a sibling, that’s okay.
“Some of it is personality. You can have siblings but they’re really different personalities so [have] different interests and their lives have gone in different directions.”
Despite having a large amount of shared experiences, Kirsty says siblings' childhoods can actually be quite different from each other, it all comes down to where your parents were at in their own relationship and journey and the age gap between siblings.
Kirsty says if you are lucky enough to grow alongside your siblings, they can be really dependable people throughout your life.
“Eventually all of us lose parents but siblings live alongside your life.
“Family don’t get to walk away from you.”
Kirsty acknowledges that family and especially sibling dynamics can be complicated though.
She says it’s good to be aware of it, especially around the holiday period when families are getting together.
“Get to know your sibling as the adult they are in front of you and build a relationship off that and not based off who they were as a kid and the historical relationship you had.”
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