I don’t fit the only-child syndrome, even though, biologically, I am an only-child. The name of this so called “disease” derives from the fact that once an only child is placed in an environment where they have to live with others, they tend to be extremely selfish and don’t know how to be responsible for themselves. They always had their mommies or daddies do it for them.
Growing up, I was always very independent. I really didn’t always feel the need to rely on my parents to do things for me, and I really enjoyed being by myself. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Wow. Loner much?” but if you think about it, we all need our alone time and that time was just something I really enjoyed. At the beginning of my childhood, my parents were “hover parents” and that was only because they worried about me constantly. I’m pretty sure we all have parents like that, whether we are an only child or we have multiple siblings.
The difference is that they never had to veer their attention to another child because it was just me. It was a love-hate kind of thing for them to be on me, but once I started showing signs of wanting that independence, they were hands-off. Even in my independence, I was always looking for the opportunity to serve others or just looking to help someone else out. This is something big that will set you apart from an bratty only child and an only child that people want to be with.
The most showing sign of this “only-child syndrome” would have to be college. I never shared clothes with anybody, let alone a whole dorm room, however, the transition was so easy for me. Within the first few weeks of school, one of my roommates told me, “You know you really don’t fit the only-child stereotype.”
At first, I was appalled to hear this from my roommate only because I didn’t know that this was the perception she had of me that would make or break our relationship. I then realized how much of a compliment that was and to hear that from someone who does have multiple siblings. I found it so easy to share things with my roommates and not be that one person who doesn’t know how to do their laundry because their mom had been doing it for their whole life.
People always ask me if I ever wish that I had a sibling. On one side, I do wish that I had a sibling that I could relate to when my parents couldn’t. On the other hand, I am grateful for being an only child because I have learned so much on taking on responsibilities by myself and learning on my own the importance of serving others before myself. If you’re an only child, just remember that people will have this outwardly perception of you that isn’t necessarily a good one. You don’t need to fall under this category and be that selfish, bratty child; surprise them and prove them wrong.
The best piece of advice I can give is to have the constant mindset of how can I be helping others. Whether it is simply doing the laundry for your mom or opening a door for a stranger, we don’t always need to be diagnosed with the only-child syndrome. It can be cured.
