I know I'm not the only one out there. There are ton of kids who are only children, but we can be rare. The only reason I say that we're rare is because most of my friends, if not all, have at least two siblings. Seriously. So, it's easy to sometimes feel like you're the only person in the world missing out on the sibling-bonds that all of your friends seem to have. But, there are many good things about being an only child.
One of the greatest things I've found from being an only child is that I'm pretty close to both of my parents. There's only one kid they have to worry about, and that's me, so their "kid-attention" is mostly devoted to me. And although that may sound horrible to some, to me, it means that I just have a very good relationship with both my mom and dad. In no way am I implying that if you're not an only child you can't have good relationships with your parents, I'm just talking for my personal experience as an only child. My mom and dad are both my best friends for different reasons. My dad and I bond over music and the arts and have many common interests while me and my mother bond over gossiping and knowing that I can go to her for absolutely anything. It's something I am very thankful for.
Another thing is that your closest friends become like your family. My house is a place, when I'm home, that my friends get to just come in and out as they please. I'm thankful and fortunate enough to have parents who let our house be that kind of place for me and my friends, a place where they can feel comfortable enough to do so. But, being an only child, my friends mean a whole lot to me. More than I'll ever be able to express, because they're the brothers and sisters that I'll never have and I get to choose for myself. Not to mention, not having siblings brings me a lot closer with my cousins, as well. My whole life my cousins have been my best, closest friends who have guided me, helped me grow, and filled the big/little brother/sister voids, which is something I'm very grateful for. They're my best friends for life, and that's something I will never, ever take for granted.
It's easy to feel lonely as an only child, but there are more plus sides than downsides to having no siblings. It teaches you how to be on your own, gives you some independence, and even though you may not have siblings, you have people all around you who fill those voids. It's not all bad. Being an only child, for me, has only brought me closer to the people I care about. My friends and family mean the world to me and that's how it'll always be.
So, yes, I may be an "only child" but I am not alone.
