Not only am I an only child, but I was also raised by a single parent. When people think of an only child they assume that person is spoiled. That is incorrect. Not all only children are spoiled. There are many advantages and disadvantages of being an only child.

As an only child, I have become self-sufficient and independent because I spent lots of time by myself, and I enjoy that alone time. Everyone needs a little downtime by themselves after a long day at school or work. I have learned to handle things on my own, but also know when it's too much to handle and when I need help. I never had to share a room with anyone, which meant I could get a big bed to jump on and roll around in. I'm especially close with my mom since it was just the two of us and we have gone on many fun family trips. I always sit shotgun in the car since there is no one else to call it. I am comfortable around adults because at events I wouldn't have any kids to play with, just adults to talk to.

There are many pros to being an only child, but sometimes being an only child gets lonely. When you have siblings you are rarely ever lonely because there's always someone to hang out with and keep you company. Without siblings, no one will understand what I'm going through when I complain about my mother. There's no one to fight over the remote with. And there was no one to play with when I got bored as a child. Siblings have your back when you have issues with people at school. Or when you go through a bad break up your siblings are always there to comfort you and are ready to beat the person up. Without siblings, I have learned to rely on my mother when I have problems.

When I was in middle school, my friends started to wear makeup and wear their hair in braids. I didn't have a sibling to teach me how to use makeup so I went through an awkward phase in seventh grade when I had a crooked line of dark blue eyeliner on my face every day. I always loved when my hair was in braids, but I never had an older sibling who wanted to braid my hair. My mother tried to braid my hair by looking at Youtube videos, but her braids were too loose and quickly fell out. I had to make do with the braids my mother made me until I learned to braid my own hair.

However, without the presence of siblings, I have formed close relationships with friends and family friends who become people that are like siblings to me. I go to those people for advice on boys, school, and friends. Even though I don't have siblings, there are people that are like siblings to me so it's a win-win situation. I am an only child in the house, but then when I need a sibling like figure to help me I have one.

You can't choose the family that you're in so you have to learn to live with what you have. And accept the people who are in your life who love you and only want the best for you.