Growing up an only child, all of my friends would assume that I was spoiled beyond belief. They thought that because my parents didn't have to split their money or attention between different children that I received all of it, thus making me a spoiled rotten brat. I remember always dreading ice breakers during the first few days of class when everyone learned everything there was to know about each other and someone would ask the dreaded question, "How many siblings do you have?"
When I would respond and tell them that I was an only child, there were two common reactions I would get. They would either (a) tell me how awesome it was and that they were jealous, or (b) tell me how sad it was that I didn't have any siblings. Now, at almost 20 years old, I can confidently look back and say that growing up an only child wasn't completely awesome, nor was it completely sad. Instead, growing up an only child was a wonderful combination of the two that helped to shape me into the person I am today.
One of the best things about growing up without siblings is the strong relationship I was able to form with my parents. By being the only three people in the house, it basically forced us to bond with one another and be friends, which has, in turn, made them some of my best friends. I tell them basically everything that happens in my life, and they do the same. Without siblings to look after, they are able to focus on me and to help me be the best person I can be.
However, although I receive the majority of my parents' attention, being an only child has allowed me to develop a type of independence not found in children with siblings. By growing up without someone else around the same age as me in the house, I had to find different ways to entertain myself when I was bored and my parents were busy. Instead of relying on other children to keep me entertained, I used to read anything I could get my hands on (seriously, I would read almost two books a day when I was younger).
One of the most common misconceptions people have of only children is that they are incapable of making friends due to poor socialization as children. Instead, I found that I was able to make friends easily. In fact, I think I was able to make better friends after growing up without siblings. The relationships I made ended up being stronger, as I was able to devote all attention on keeping my friends close and happy in our friendships.
Despite these misconceptions of only children and "Only Child Syndrome," only children across the country strive to break the stigmas associated with not having any siblings. After all, we're strong independent children who don't need no siblings!
