Dear Only Child,
I understand what you are going through. Both of my parents remarried, however, I am the only child who ever lived at home, so I consider myself an only child. I spent most of my life without step siblings, and I know the pros and cons to being an only child. So here's an open letter to those who I can fully connect with:
I know how old it gets hearing how good it must be to be an only child. When in reality, it does have its down falls just like everything in this life does. It would be nice to have a brother or a sister to vent to, or spend your summers with. Someone who you know for the most part, will have your back. I know it gets old hearing "oh, I know you must be spoiled". Yes, I guess you could say we have the tendency to get our way most of the time. But honestly, we are just like those who have siblings.
As I left for college, it was an extremely hard transition for me and my family. We were all really close and so our whole dynamic was beginning to change. In some ways, I believe if I had a sibling at home, it would of made this transition somewhat easier. Maybe not.
But being an only child comes with a ton of responsibility. We are the ones who are our parents best friends, and the ones who feel the most alone at times. We are the ones who will be taking care of our parents alone when they can no longer care for themselves. And sadly, we will be the ones left to deal with the grief of losing our parents alone. We will not have siblings to support us along the way.
However, being an only child has taught me to truly appreciate friendship. It has shown me that you can be someones brother or sister, and treat them as a brother or sister without being biologically related. Being an only child has taught me the power of hard work and honesty. Growing up, I could never bully my siblings into doing anything.I had to do it myself, and for that I am thankful.
So if you ask me would I change being an only child, I honestly could not answer you. It would be amazing to have a sibling, but I as also blessed with an incredible life, and that life includes being an only child. To all the other only children out there: embrace your life. Learn to srug off the ingorant remarks about us. Take a step back and see how increidbly lucky we are to not feel like we have to compete for our parents attention.
Being an only child does not always have to be lonely, take that alone time and use it to do something productive. Use it to set goals or to think about how you can be a better person, or whatever the case may be. You were given this life for a reason, now go live it.
