As an only child, I always hate when people ask, "Do you have any siblings?" because at that moment, after I tell them that I am an only child, I am always faced with one of two responses "You're so lucky!" or "Wow, you don't seem like an only child." I have seen these two common misconceptions about being an only child too often.

Most people think that only children are spoiled which turns them into brats. Yes, I am a bit spoiled, but that doesn't mean I automatically have an attitude about it. I was blessed with parents who were able to give me the things I want, but they also raised me in a way that I understood the difference between want and need. They are the type of parents who would work two jobs and long hours to buy me hockey tickets to see my favorite team. They are the type of parents who would go without so I could have a little extra money for food while at college.

I saw what they would go through, what they continue to go through so that they can give me want I want, not because I begged, but because they love me. Through my parents, I have learned to appreciate what I have. So, when people tell me that "I don't seem like an only child," I am thankful. Thankful for what I have been given, thankful for what I have worked for, and thankful for parents who raised me to know the difference. People say that I don't seem like an only child, that I don't act like an only child: entitled, haughty, selfish. That's because my parents raised me better than that. Only children don't act a certain way but are raised a certain way.

Another common misconception of being an only child is that we are "lucky." We didn't have any siblings to grow up with. Which meant no siblings to share our toys with, no siblings to break or steal our stuff, no siblings to fight with over silly things, and no siblings to have to deal with at all. We are lucky to not have siblings. All of that is true, but I also never had a sibling to count on whenever times were hard, I never had a sibling who shared the same type of humor as me to laugh at all my jokes, I never had a sibling to play with, and I never had a sibling that I was able to call a friend.

Am I lucky? It's true that I never had any of the negatives that come with siblings, but I also never had any of the positives. The next time you see your siblings, think past all of the arguments and remember the positives. Now, don't get me wrong, I love being an only child. I loved that I never had to share a bathroom, but I missed out on a lot of other things. Maybe I am lucky, but maybe I am not.

I am tired of hearing that I am lucky to be an only child. I am tired of hearing about how I don't act like an only child. I am proud that I am not a stereotypical only child.