If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve been asked, “Do you love being an only child” I would have enough money to buy a sibling. Look, it’s not like I ever knew anything else. I’m used to it by now. My typical response to this commonly asked question is, “I hated it when I was younger but now I like it."
1. "I bet you get everything you want."
Look, my family is most likely just like yours. They buy me what they can and I’m grateful for everything. I wonder where this misconception started of an only child getting every single thing they ask for? I was raised to not be a brat and be thankful for everything.
2. "You're so mature for your age."
Well, yeah. While everyone else was playing with their siblings, I was sitting at kitchen tables with my mom’s friends listening to their real-world problems. So, thank you.
3. "Do you wish you had a sibling?"
TBH if anything I wish I had more dogs. I hate this question because how am I ever supposed to answer it? It’s not like I knew a life with a sibling, so not having one is all I’ve ever known. I’m sure having an older sibling would’ve been nice in high school or something but honestly, right now I’m doing pretty well as it is.
4. "You're so lucky."
A common response when people find out I have no siblings. “Lucky” ??? Did I miss something? Did I win the lottery? It seems like people often want the life they don’t have.
5. "You can be really kept to yourself."
True. I like my privacy. I’m used to privacy. I like being alone from time to time. As a kid when I wasn’t playing at a friend’s house, I was at home, in my room, playing with my toys by myself. And as I grew up, being in my room alone on my laptop. I’m just used to it and quite frankly, I’ve never really hated it because it can be so calming being by yourself.
6. "You don't seem like an only child."
WHAT DOES THIS EVEN MEAN! I don’t fall under the common misbeliefs of being a brat and not knowing how to share? Thanks?
7. "You're really sensitive."
Most people with siblings build a tolerance to being teased. I never had a sibling to tease me, push me around, or fight with. I’m really sensitive to a lot of things, but especially when I sense conflict in a relationship. Be mindful, people!
8. "Is it weird having a roommate in college?"
The fact that this question has been asked to me really BLOWS MY MIND. Look, just because I never shared a room with anyone doesn’t mean I don’t know how to share or interact with other people in a living space? Sheeeesh.
9. "Did your parents want another kid?"
… Why have another when you already have the best?
10. "I bet you love being the center of attention."
No, actually the EXACT opposite. I hate being the center of attention in any situation. Not to mention, not having a sibling means my life is under a constant microscope at home.
Being an only child made me super responsible, independent and mature. It allowed me to form an amazing bond with my mother and that’s something I wouldn’t trade for the world. So yeah, I hated it when I was a kid but as I grow older, I do kind of love being an only child.
