Growing up as an only child definitely has its perks and its drawbacks. It's something you become so used and accustomed to. It's very common nowadays for parents to get divorced and remarried, thus introducing the possibility of receiving step-siblings. This can switch up the normal everyday lifestyle for an only child, but it's not always a bad thing.

Growing up I was an only child until I was about 11 years old, when my mom got remarried. Nine years later my dad got remarried, and I went from a kid with one stepsister who I saw every once in a while, to a kid with four more step-siblings who are around all the time. This transition was tough at first, but eventually became much easier, and a blessing really.

When you're an only child, you are used to being the center of attention and having a lot of alone time. However, when I was little, I always wanted a sibling because I was always so lonely. I would see my friends who had siblings get to play with each other and bicker back and forth all the time, and that was something I wanted so badly. I would feel so lonely sometimes and would ask my parents to have another baby all the time, which really wasn't in the cards for us.

When my dad got remarried, I got two more step-siblings, plus their fiancés, in the end giving me four more siblings. This was probably one of the best things that could have happened to me. I was and still am so thrilled to be one of five now, instead of being an only child. The fact that we are all somewhat close in age makes them easy to talk to and makes for a close-knit family bond that is truly one in a million. Going from being alone in a house all the time to having people at home almost every day is something that I truly love.

One word of advice I have for people with stepbrothers and sisters is to treat them as if they were blood relatives, because they pretty much are. If you were an only child who acquired step-siblings along the way, be so thankful for the blessing that you were given. They are your best friends and they will love you as if you were their real sibling (which you pretty much are) no matter what. For people who aren't really a fan of their step-siblings, give them a chance. Talk to them and try to become closer. They are the best thing that you may ever receive in your life. I am so thankful for all of my step-siblings and how much they have been there for me through the tough times, the happy times, and the exciting times. My life has changed so much since no longer being an only child, but I wouldn't have it any other way.