Growing up, it seemed as if every single one of my friends had big families. Every time I'd go over to their houses, I felt like I was lost in another universe. There were kids running around, screaming, fighting and calling each other names. It was something I never had to deal with at my house. As I entered high school four years ago, I began to meet more people who shared this similar lifestyle as me: being an only child. We all understood each others struggles and pain when it came to being the only sibling. As I've grown up, I've learned a few things that only we was only children would understand.
Your mantel at home looks as if you recently passed away.
Being an only child means that you (and only you) are your parents entire life. Every school picture, whether you thought you looked fabulous or absolutely heinous, they ordered and framed the second it came in the mail. Every single team picture you were in starting at age three on up is still sitting there. There's probably even a couple of baby pictures still hanging around. The collection still continues and will for quite a long time.
You always wished you could bring a friend along on your family vacations.
Vacations are great. Your parents are great. But when you're on a road trip for 10 hours with your parents singing along to old music from their generation, suddenly you begin to wish you were back at home. You'd beg and you'd beg to bring a friend along your vacation, but every single time they'd say no and reply with saying, "This is a family vacation!"
Because you're an only child, immediately everybody thinks you're spoiled.
Every time the question, "How many siblings do you have?" came about in a conversation, you had to be prepared for the judgmental thoughts and responses that people would have when telling them you're an only child. Something about being an only child automatically gives you the stereotype of being a spoiled person.
Sharing can be difficult.
In big families, sharing is a huge part of their every day life. Many times, siblings will share clothes, the television and sometimes even a room. Whenever only children have to share something, it's like a foreign concept and can be a difficult task.
You enjoy alone time.
With growing up in a fairly quiet household, it's always comforting to be at home having some alone time, especially after spending a lot of time with a lot of people. There's a certain sense of comfort you feel when being alone away from friends every once in a while.
Your pet feels like your sibling.
Since no other children besides yourself were around in your household, you always found yourself playing with your pet. Your pet was the closest thing to a sibling. More times then not, you'd find yourself talking, playing and even laughing at them as if they were a younger brother or sister.
You spend way too much time with your parents.
Whenever you're at home and want to talk to someone, your only option was to talk to your parents. They'd try so hard to give you advice and relate to your life. They'd always try and help you with your homework even if they couldn't remember how to solve a calculus problem. They'd even pull pranks on you like any brother or sister would. It was as if they tried to be an honorary sibling. I think that is the most unique part about being an only child. It allowed you to feel and see your parents love and devotion to you in a different way because you are everything to them.
