I grew up with a 12-year age difference between my brother and I. When I was graduating kindergarten, he was graduating high school. So, I feel like I grew up as an only child. It definitely has its pros and cons.

Pros:

You learn how to be alone.

You're OK with doing your own thing, because you never had a sibling there to do things with.

You get your own room and own bathroom.

You don’t have to worry about sharing anything, because you’re the only child.

You pretty much get everything you want.

You’re the only child they’re paying for, so you (pretty much) get whatever you want.

You learn how to be independent.

You don’t have anyone to play with, so you’re stuck making your own fun with barbies, stuffed animals, or Polly Pockets.

There's no sibling you get compared to.

But then you kinda wish there was.

Cons:

You’re always bored.

You don’t have anyone to do anything with.

Your parents' eyes are always on you.

You get asked a billion questions, because you’re the only one there for them to notice.

You’re shy when you’re around strangers (when you’re younger).

You’re only really ever around your parents or classmates, so being around other people freaks you out.

You never get to have a niece or nephew.

You’re hoping you marry into a big family, so you get a niece or nephew.

You get annoyed when your friends say how lucky you are to be an only child.

Because no you're not. You'd give anything to have a sibling to fight with.