Giggy, Bubba, and Ryry: Growing Up with My Siblings

Giggy, Bubba, and Ryry: Growing Up with My Siblings

Growing up with Jenna was… something else. Our nicknames for each other— Giggy for her, Bubba for me—sum up the chaos perfectly. She had ADHD, I had undiagnosed autism, and somehow, we were a perfect storm. Scratches, bruises, pencils thrown near my eye… our fights were epic. And our parents? They just let us go at it. They figured separating us was pointless because we’d just start again the moment the room emptied.

Somehow, eventually, we got tired of it. The endless battles faded, and out of that chaos grew a closeness I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Jenna isn’t just my sister anymore—her kids feel like mine, and I know we’d both do anything for each other.

Then there’s Ryan— Ryry. Five years younger than me, seven younger than Jenna. As a kid, he begged Mom to make me play with him. I never did. Not because I didn’t care, but because I couldn’t. Being autistic, I didn’t enjoy playing the way other kids did.

Sometimes I took my frustrations out on him. I hit him, I was mean, and I feel terrible knowing I caused him pain.

He was bullied just like I was, and he didn’t deserve that extra weight. Reflecting on all this now, I see how far we’ve come. Jenna and I built a bond stronger than our childhood fights. And with Ryry, I feel a mix of guilt and protectiveness. I want to make things right, to understand my past behavior, and to grow into a sibling he can feel safe with.

Lessons Learned

• Childhood conflicts don’t define the relationships you can have later in life.
• Understanding yourself—your neurodivergence, triggers, and struggles—helps you understand your past actions.
• Guilt can be a guide, not a punishment: it tells you where growth and repair are needed.
• Even chaotic families can create bonds that survive, transform, and strengthen over time.

Life with siblings can be messy, painful, and complicated—but it can also teach empathy, resilience, and the power of unconditional love.