All my life growing up, my friends would tell me that it must be awesome to be the only child. More times than not, I wouldn't know how to respond. Like do they want me to say, "Yeah! It's the best thing ever, siblings suck!" or do they want me to say, "Nah, it sucks. I wish I had siblings to take my stuff without asking." My usual response is, "Eh, it's alright." Being an only child is neither a blessing or a curse...it's just what I've always known.
1. You're terrible at sharing....anything.
Whether it's food, toys, or more toys, we never had to share anything. We always have to think deeply about whether we want to loan our favorite sweatshirt or want to share our fries. In the end, we always do because we see our friends as the siblings we never had.
2. You're super awkward with children.
We never had to deal with crying babies or babysitting our siblings. So when we are asked to briefly watch or babysit small children, we have no idea what we're doing. We don't know what to talk about and ultimately just sit there while they watch TV and (hopefully) entertain themselves.
3. You're fine being by yourself.
You don't mind being by yourself. You're used to it since it's the way you grew up. It's always been you and your parents whether it's a vacation, going out to eat, or going to family events. Watching TV or relaxing by yourself is nothing out of the ordinary.
4. You find that simple things entertain you.
'
When your parents were busy, you had to find things to occupy yourself. You couldn't rely on a brother or sister for entertainment, so you found the simple things that occupied you.
5. You need a lot of personal space.
You never had to deal with sharing a room or being crammed inside a car for a family vacation. You had all the room you wanted so when someone invades your personal space, you don't know how to deal with it.
6. You don't handle being teased well.
You never had to deal with teasing from your siblings or sibling rivalry so when someone playfully teases you, it doesn't go well. You can't tell if they're kidding or being for real but either way, you can't deal with it.
7. You can't celebrate certain holidays.
Count us out for National Sibling Day and the annual Easter Egg Hunt. It's not really fun hunting for eggs by yourself. Plus, we don't get sappy sibling posts on birthdays like other people.
8. You are perceived as spoiled.
Now, this may or may not be true. You're the only one your parents have to pay for and give all their love to so I guess you're spoiled in that respect. Just because we're the only child doesn't mean mom and dad give us money all the time. We still have to get a job and make our own money like a real adult.
9. You're automatically the favorite child.
Your parents think they're so clever when they say you're their favorite child. HELLO! I'M YOUR ONLY CHILD!
10. You don't get any hand-me-downs.
One of the perks of being an only child is that all your clothes are new. Also, you don't have an annoying little sibling stealing your clothes out of your closet without asking.
Being an only child may sound a like a nightmare to most, but we don't know any different. We don't have to share the attention of our parents plus we usually get what we want (not to sound spoiled though). Instead of humans being my siblings, I have my dogs and cats, which is better since they don't talk back or steal my clothes.
