If you are like me, you have been living with two middle school girls for the past three months… and it has been a crazy, hormone-filled three months to say the least. Before I went off to college, my little sisters (who are twins and six years younger than me) were perfect little angels. Sure we fought from time to time, but they have always been good sisters. But when I came home for the summer, my 13-year-old sisters had drastically changed. So here are some tips to keep your cool if you realized your younger sibling or siblings have reached their “middle school phase.” Yes, I said, “phase” because I am hopeful it will eventually end.

1. They are in their rap stage

If your sibling is in the middle school phase, they are probably listening to hip-hop and rap music non-stop. They probably looove artists like G-Eazy, Fetty Wap, T.I., and Chris Brown (the first two artists I had never even heard of, but apparently they’re a thing). So if they are spitting some insane rhymes, that drive you nuts, you can thank the “rap stage.”

2. Everything you do is un-cool and embarrassing

I always thought I was going to be the cool big sister, who is looked up to by my siblings and their friends—but no. Apparently everything I do doesn’t live up to their standard of “coolness.” How sweet…

3. They will sass you until you cry

Sometimes, your sibling may be flat out mean. They will hurl multiple witty insults at you that they heard from Modern Family. So if they make you cry, don’t worry, their middle-schoolers and you have your life together… kind of.

4. They think trends from your generation make them hipster

Have you seen your younger sibling wear a choker? How about a vintage teenage mutant ninja turtle t-shirt? Things that were cool when you were growing up are somehow suddenly hipster to your sibling.

5. Their Instagram photos will annoy you to no end

Is your sibling’s Instagram FULL of artsy pictures with deep philosophical captions? Then they are really going full-fledge into the middle school phase. If I had a dollar for every time my sister posted a picture staring off into the sunset, with a faded filter, I would be one rich college student!

6. They may not want to hug you, talk to you, or even acknowledge your presence

If this is the case with your sibling, know that it’s ok. They need their space. And it stinks because you can remember how cute they were when they were babies and you just want to hug them and let them know you’re there for them whenever they need you. But it’s ok, they’ll realize it soon enough.

7. EVERYTHING is terrible

“Could this day get any worse?!”

“My life SUCKS!”

“I would rather stick a needle in my eye than do this.”

These are all common phrases you will hear out of your middle-schooler’s mouth. How delightful!

8. Technology rules their world

Netflix, Snapchat, Instagram, iPad, iPhone, and basically every other type of social media and piece of technology runs their little middle school world.

9. They are going through an emotionally and physically weird time

Let’s face it: middle school IS rough. Mean girls, boys, grades, an awkwardly shaped body, and raging hormones all begin at this time. Who wouldn’t be confused in a time when all that starts?

10. They still love you

I know my sisters still love me, even if they don’t show it like they used to. They show it in different ways now. It may be by showing me a stupid YouTube video or making fun of our mom’s dance moves. But know that they still love you and you’re still their big sister.

11. You have been there too

Don’t forget that we have all been through middle school and luckily managed to make it out alive. So have patience with your siblings even though they may drive you crazy.

(A very embarrassing picture of me in my middle school phase. Proof that I have no room to judge because just LOOK at this picture!)

Shout out to my sisters who are actually really awesome! :)