I’ve grown up as an only child.

I have pretty much always gotten what I wanted, but I am by no means spoiled. I think a major part of the reason I was given what I wanted most of the time was because my parents have been divorced most of my life. They divorced when I was five years old, and although my father is no longer a part of my life, he was in the early years. That meant double the amount of presents for Christmas, birthdays, and other miscellaneous holidays throughout the year. My father always tried to outshine my mother when it came to presents. He would literally try to buy my love.

There seems to be this stereotype that all only children are spoiled rotten. Although I was maybe showered with presents when I was much younger, I never received any more gifts than my friends with multiple siblings would receive.

While growing up everyone would always tell me how spoiled I was and I believed them. But, a few years ago, I realized something; I am the furthest thing from spoiled. Now, that’s not to say that my family never gave me anything. They have always given me everything I need and more. I’m twenty-one years old and I still receive presents for Christmas, birthdays, and other holidays. But, I have always had to work hard to get what I want. Nothing has ever been just handed to me, I have always had to earn things.

Before I was allowed to get my first phone, I had to save up enough money for the first month’s payment to prove to my mom that I was able to have one. Keep in mind, I was about thirteen, so I had no job. I still remember the endless chores I had to do to get that phone.

Before I could get my driver’s license, I first had to get a job. I remember applying to literally hundreds of job applications. Finally, after five months of frantically searching for a job while all my friends had their licenses, someone hired me!

For my first car, it was a hand-me-down from my stepdad. Let me tell you, it was not a pretty car. But, it did the job and got me from point A to point B. Nonetheless, it was a car so I was pretty happy.

My first car lasted from when I was sixteen, until the day of my twentieth birthday. It was very bittersweet for my first car to finally quit on me on my birthday. I didn’t want to think about having to get a new car and how much it would cost me, but at the same time I was excited to finally get a new one. A few days later, I came home with a brand new 2016 car that I was in love with. My mom and grandpa helped me immensely with the process, but when it came to money, it was all me. I was completely fine with it because I was raised to work for what I want. Along with my brand new car, I also had to start paying my own car insurance.

My point is, that just because I tell you I am an only child, please don’t assume I get everything handed to me. It has never been that way and it will never be that way in the future. I pay all of my own bills, and if I want something, I work for it and buy it myself.

So next time someone tells you that they’re an only child, please don’t assume they are spoiled. Sometimes it can be hurtful because being spoiled sometimes has a negative label attached to it, like being a brat, and that is definitely not what I am.