For those who grew up with brothers and sisters, it may be hard to imagine life without siblings. As an only child, I'm about to let you in on what life is like without siblings and how we go about life:

1. Sometimes, we're clueless.

Growing up, we weren't used to sharing life with someone. Oftentimes during the early years of childhood, those of us without siblings are branded with "only child syndrome", a label that often implies that we are automatically selfish or stuck up, which is entirely untrue. We live and we learn, and as only children we are simply behind the curve--what most children learn about living with other people, we don't have the chance to learn until elementary school.

2. Being an only child doesn't mean we're spoiled.

Only children are like any other person--we can grow up to be spoiled brats, we may live in poverty and own next to nothing, or even we can learn to appreciate what we have been blessed with.

3. Being an only child can be lonely.

Although it's great that we do not have to share with another sibling, we also don't get to experience life with that person. And yes, it's a bummer.

4. If you're a friend, you're family.

The closest thing we have to siblings are our friends, which means that if we choose to let you in, we are not just choosing a friend, but we are adopting you into our family. And that is one of the greatest honors an only child can bestow upon another person.

There many ups and downs to being an only child, but overall it's pretty great. If you have a friend who is an only child, hopefully now you understand where they are coming from a bit better. Remember: if you are their friend. you're their family, and you are more special to them than you will ever know.