"I wish I was an only child." I sometimes wonder if those who utter this statement really know what it is like to be an only child.

Being an only child is not all sunshine and rainbows. In your childhood years, you don't have anyone around to constantly play with and parents can only be persuaded to play dolls so many times. As I got older, I realized that not having siblings was especially inconvenient when I was in trouble. Those with siblings are able to blame them, let someone else take the fault or at least muddy the water as to who is to blame for the offense. As an only child, when something goes wrong, they know it was you and there is no escaping it. You also get all of your parents' attention as an only child, which may sound like a good thing, but that's not always the case. They are constantly on your case about something. Parents of only children seem to be abnormally overprotective which can be next level annoying.

Aside from that, I have never had a sibling to go to in times of need. I don't have an older sibling to go to for advice or to show me the ropes of life and I don't have a younger sibling to be that person for. Someday when I have children, they will be denied a set of aunts and uncles and cousins that I just cannot give them. Coming from a large family, I find that incredibly sad.

In hindsight, of course, there are great things about being an only child. I have parents who adore me and who have given me everything I could have ever wanted and more. I didn't have hand-me-downs or to fight for attention.

So those of you with siblings, sure they can get on your nerves and it's not all rainbows and smiles with siblings either, but love your siblings and hold them close. Not all of us are lucky enough to be blessed with them.