Ah, yes, I am one of those kids that families of multiple children call “spoiled” or “needy” or “lucky.” It’s not my fault that my parents decided to only have one kid, so, naturally, I get so offended when people call me any of these qualities. If an only child does so happen to be “needy” or “spoiled” it’s because of the parent and how they raise their child.

This article is for the people who truly do not understand what it’s like to be an only child. It really is not all that cracked up to be.

We Kinda Do Wish We Had Siblings (kinda)

When I was younger, I always envied my friends who had siblings. Yes, they always fought with one another, but they had a bond that was indescribable. They could hate each other one second, but then ten minutes later they would forget about the petty argument. They took care of one another, and I truly admired that.

There were thousands of times when I wished I had a sibling to play and hang out with. I would often have to entertain myself by playing Bratz or house with my mom if I was bored (you were a pretty great playmate, mom).

As I have gotten older I definitely wish I had siblings. Having someone who understands your family and just having someone in your life seems comforting to me and to other only child people as well.

We Hate Being Called Spoiled

Okay, yes, when I was a kid I got many presents for my birthday. I had my own bedroom. I got a car for my 16th birthday. However, there’s no reason for people to call me spoiled. There is only one of me to provide for, so it was easier for my parents to buy me things because I am an only child. If I had a sibling or two, I am sure I wouldn’t have had my own car; I would have probably have had to share it.

We find it so incredibly frustrating when people call us spoiled because why is it our fault that our parents provide us with things if they can easily afford it? Should we just say, "No thanks mom I can just take the bus to school and rely on my friends for rides everywhere I go.” Nope, that would never happen. So, before you judge us for having a car or our own bedroom, please try to understand that it’s not that we are spoiled, it’s just that our parents only have one kid to provide for.

We Are Very Independent

Since I don’t have any siblings, I had to rely on myself for entertainment. I always found something to do, however, I had to find stuff to do on my own. I discovered my hobbies and pastimes by myself because I never had siblings to look up to or learn what they did in their free time.

Additionally, since I never had siblings to look up to, I have done a lot of firsts in my family, which is pretty cool. I am a first-generation college student. I had a private school education for ten years. I have been able to travel to six countries. I have held a job since I was fifteen years old. I have done all of these things because I am independent. I have taught myself that in order to be successful, independency is a quality that must be achieved. I never learned any of these traits or goals from an older sister or brother. I learned them from the environments I have involved myself with, the people I spend time with, and of course, from my mother.

Having To Share Is Hard For Us At First

I’m sure a person who has siblings is laughing at this, but it’s the God-honest truth. We are not used to sharing our belongings or even food for that matter because we have never had to do it. It’s not that we are against sharing, it’s just that we aren’t used to it. Everything our parents gave us was essentially ours.

It sucks being an only child because we wish we had someone who we could relate to or understand how crazy our family is, but I guess that’s what cool aunts and cousins are for. For all you peeps out there with siblings, be a little bit grateful for them. I’m sure you argue with them constantly and get annoyed easily by anything they do, but don’t take them for granted because only child kids seriously envy you.