This article is for the sole purpose of informing you of the misconceptions of being an only child. Contrary to what many believe, we are not sad, selfish, decrepit beings. Please let me elaborate on the 6 misconceptions, and 3 truths of being an only child. Please keep in mind that these are generalizations, and that there probably are some only children that put the rest of us to shame.
The Misconceptions:
1. We only care about ourselves.
We are not really that selfish. We understand that the world really doesn’t revolve around us. We do care for others, have compassion, and understand that we have to share. I mean sure, when we were younger it definitely took some getting used to. Sharing our toys with others was something that we didn’t have to do very often at home, but we learn quickly with the help of our family.
2. We’re rich.
Obviously since our parents only have one child we get everything we want, right? Wrong. We still have to work for the things that we want. Yes, we are the focus of our parents, but that doesn’t mean that they just give us all of their money and buy us everything that we ask for.
3. Overprotective parents.
Okay, so yes, we are the sole focus; but that doesn’t mean that we’re treated any different than children with siblings. It’s hard for any parent to let go of their first-born children and let them have some freedom. The over-protection by the parent is dependent on the parent, not the child.
4. Imaginary friends.
We do not have them. We have about as many imaginary friends as any other child (only child or not) would have. We are not sitting around talking to imaginary people all day and pretending that they are our brother or sister. Do we talk to our dolls or pets sometimes? Heck yeah, and please tell me that you haven’t done that even if you have a sibling.
5. Longing for a sibling.
We don’t sit around everyday wishing that we had a brother or sister. Of course it’s crossed our minds a few times, and we imagine what it would be like; but we don’t know anything else and we’re okay with that. We are not sad little human beings with nobody to share experiences with; there are plenty of people in our lives to feel that need.
6. Development
We do not develop slower because we’re not learning from older siblings. We go to daycare and learn from other kids for social interactions with kids our own age. And quite frankly, yeah, we do hang around with adults more who you always learn from.
The Truths:
1. Alone Time
We do really appreciate the time that we get to ourselves. We’ve learned how to be with our thoughts and need time not to talk to anybody. Being around people 24/7 isn’t how most of us like to get away from things.
2. Hanging with Adults
Yeah we do like chatting with older people, its what were used to. We learn early on how to have a grown up conversation and communicate within different generations. We feel comfortable with people older than us because of our childhood.
3. Friends becoming like siblings.
This is a stretch since we don’t understand what it’s like to actually have a sibling, but we all have those friends that are like a sibling to us. You become really close with someone, and their family and vise versa. You guess that it’s what its like to have an awesome sibling.
