"You're so lucky!"

"I wish I was you!"

"So you get everything you want, right?"

These are the types of comments I frequently receive when I tell people I'm an only child. Through my interactions with others, I have also learned that being an only child is a rare commodity.

I very seldom meet someone else that is an only child. Most of my friends or just people I've met over the years seem to have at least one sibling, whether they are blood-related or step-siblings, everyone seems to have at least one.

That's also perfectly okay,

I'm not saying there should be more only children, it's just something I have noticed over time. Anyway, being an only child is definitely an experience all in its own, and sometimes, I think it's hard for people to understand what it's really like.

Being an only child really isn't bad, at least I don't believe so anyway.

Some people think only children are overly sheltered and end up being weird and awkward people in their adult life. Now, I'm not going to say I am never weird or awkward because I most definitely can be, but so can everyone else. I don't think I am any more weird or awkward than someone growing up with ten siblings.

I will say, however, in my personal experience, being an only child made me become very close with my family. I would assume all only children become somewhat close to their parents because you're all each other have, give or take some pets or if you have extended family living with you. With that being said, becoming close with your parents also isn't a bad thing. I love how close I am with my parents and I wouldn't change my relationship with them for anything.

When I was growing up, I was always stuck by my mom's side. You know how some kids like to wander off from their parents and explore things for themselves? I wasn't like that at all. This is probably from being around my parents most of the time and I knew I was safe with them. So yeah, I was a little shy and stayed close to my mom as a little kid, but I don't think that's all that terrible.

Also, I should mention I still liked playing with kids my own age. If I knew I was going to hang out with a friend, that was a huge deal for me. I remember I would always get so excited knowing I could see and play with someone my own age. As one can see, being an only child doesn't necessarily mean you're incredibly shy and awkward around others. For me, it just made getting to see my friends that much more special, because I didn't get to play with other kids whenever I wanted.

I get the first two comments most often when I tell people I am an only child. People always say something along the lines of me being lucky and them wishing they were me, but I never know what to say to these comments.

Am I really lucky for being an only child?

I don't know; that's subject to people's opinions. I do know, however, that I am lucky for having an amazing family. My parents and grandparents were and still are my rocks growing up and I am beyond thankful for them. With that in mind, that's why I really don't know what to say to people when they tell me I am lucky for being an only child because it's the only thing I know. It's hard to imagine yourself in a completely different situation and thinking if you're better off one way or the other (like me thinking if I had siblings).

In conclusion, I hope I have informed you a little more about what it's like being an only child.

Personally, I can't imagine growing up any differently. I like being an only child and experiencing life a little differently from most people. Being an only child is definitely a completely unique experience than growing up with siblings, but it's not a bad one.

Some people even tell me that they feel sorry for me, for not having any siblings, when that's not really necessary. As I said before, I can't imagine my life being any different and I like how it is, so I don't need people telling me they feel sorry for me, because I'm fine with it. It's difficult for people to understand things they don't have any personal experience with, and I understand that.

But at the same time, try not to make assumptions about someone else's life because they could like it just how it is.