When I was 20, my parents didn’t feel like they were too old to have anymore children. And this was the first time I had gotten somewhat of an experience of having a sibling. I was already moved out and on my own, so it felt more like I just got a new baby cousin or niece. Up until that point, I lived my life as an only child. I went through the perks of being spoiled immensely, but also the disadvantages of never getting to build that bond that most siblings do as they grow together over time.
Being an only child, you are able to get a lot of one-on-one time with your parents that you might not really get with siblings. I am close to my parents because we did everything together while I was growing up. It didn’t make me “socially awkward” or shy when I was around other kids my age, but it did help me to be comfortable being around adults.
I was a lucky only child; I never really spent a lot of time alone like most do. If I wasn’t bonding with my parents, I was busy playing sports and bonding with teammates, or I was hanging out with my cousins. I wasn’t bored all the time (just occasionally) because I was always busy and had something kind of like siblings around me. But there is that side where you do get pretty lonely too. When you have siblings, you can hang out with them at almost any time you want to, and you have someone to gang up on your parents with. When you’re an only child, you’re a lone ranger and have to fight your battles alone. You don’t have anyone to have your back or to go complain to about things other people wouldn’t understand.
Like with anything else, there is the good, the bad and the ugly that comes along with growing up as an only child. It can shape well-grounded people and shape those who feel like they are entitled to everything. A lot of people who grew up as an only child will tell you it's nice because you're pretty spoiled and don’t have to share anything. Which is true, but it is a double-edged sword.
Not having to share is great. I mean, you get your own stuff, no hand-me-downs, and best of all, no one takes your food. But I feel like it's something that can push you to be very selfish as you grow older. Don’t get me wrong, I know how to share and do share, but occasionally I do have that “it’s mine” mentality and want to keep things for myself. Granted, some siblings become selfish as well because they always had to share, but I think they have a little more leeway than someone who is saying they never had to share.
Being an only child has its perks, and can be great and fun at times; other times, it’s not as fun, and can be lonely and boring. I think growing up as an only child was awesome and I wouldn’t change it for the world, but I always wondered what it would be like to have that special bond like other siblings had.
