You're it kid; the only one in the spotlight. There's no older sibling there to break in your parents for the ups and downs of being a teenager. No buffer zone for your mistakes and the coinciding punishments, just new experiences to take in stride with life.
Being an only child is something that I have learned to love and is an aspect that I have associated with my self-identity at this point. It has allowed me to develop wonderful friendships, an amazing support system from my parents, and never had to compete with siblings for attention. I'm not saying everything was always rainbows and sunshine, but as time has gone by, I really learned to appreciate the situation I have been blessed with.
Growing up, especially in middle school and high school years, it was easy to be jealous of all the sibling relationships my friends had. I wanted to feel that bond of unconditional support and closeness, even if it did come with the petty fights and occasional punches. Not having siblings forces you to branch out and find that support and regard in other people besides those you are related to. I learned that even though I did not have a sister in the bedroom next to me, I had them in different houses throughout my town, all with different last names, but the same love I wished for in a real one.
Being an only child does not mean you are spoiled. Let me repeat for the people in the back: only children do not get everything they want. We still go through the same chores and expectations that you do even though there is only one of us. We may be spoiled with attention, but even that is not a good thing all of the time. There is no test run with an older brother to see how your parents will react to a bad grade or you sneaking out. You are the test run, every single time. Not only is it your first time going through big milestones or troubles, it is also your parents first time encountering these moments as well.
The reason I am most thankful to be an only child is absolutely the opportunity it has given me to get to know my parents. The older I get and the more I get to know myself as an individual, the more I realize that I owe so much of who I have become to my parents.
Being an only child is definitely an experience that you do not understand unless you are in that situation. It has its ups and downs, but at the end of the day, I believe it is a blessing. All relationships in your life should hold importance, whether they are familial or not.
