Growing up I was one of few kids I knew who didn't have any siblings. All my friends would constantly ask me what it was like being the only kid in my house. I think as a kid, I probably said it was awful. As I grew up, I realized there are pros just as there are cons to being an only child. If I could have had my way as a child, then I would have had a sibling or two, but life as the only kid in my house suits me; I don't think I could see myself living any other way.

1. Pro : My own room.

This was (and still is) a great perk I had growing up as an only child. There was no obligation to share my living space with someone else. This meant I could utilize the space however I wanted. I always loved having my own room because it became my sanctuary when I needed to be alone. Though as an adult who has a roommate in college, I know how to live with someone and not have all my worldly possessions consume the entire living space. Having my own room didn't keep me from understanding boundaries when sharing one.

2. Con : Not having someone to play with at all times.

This one is obvious and is something I was always jealous of my friends with siblings growing up. For me there was never a playmate who was around all the time, that meant I often had to entertain myself or call on my friends living behind me to play. Sadly, those kids moved away and I wasn't friends with anyone else around me until later in life. When I turned 12, me and my best friend started hanging out, so I had someone to hang out with from then on. I do wish we had been closer growing up, it was that was a lonely time in my life.

3. Pro : No comparisons to older or younger siblings.

I am a competitive person when I want to be and can get jealous of others if I compare myself to them. Luckily, I never had this problem within my own family. I never had an older sibling to compare myself to or be compared to by other people. I get to be independent in what I do and not be compared to how my life is doing against any siblings.

4. Con : No one in the house besides my parents to share my secrets with.

I always was jealous of the sisters in TV shows or movies when they'd get together and share secrets, uniting to get through anything. They didn't have to go to their parents with their problems because they had someone who understood, a brother or sister who could identify and empathize. I had friends, but I was always been envious of my friends with siblings; who would have someone to talk to in their house whenever they wanted. I wanted a sister who could really relate to me like I saw on TV.

5. Pro : Not having to share or split anything with someone else.

My first pro talked about not having to share a room, but there are plenty of other things I never had to share with anyone in my household. I never had to share the t.v in my room or the car I drive or even a bathroom. I was spoiled and never had to plan around someone else when it came to essential items or activities in the house.

6. Con : Not being able to have any blood nieces or nephews.

Whenever I do get married and have kids, I will love the hell out of my husband's siblings' kids. They will be my nieces and nephews regardless of blood, but I will always have a sort of envy for those who will be able to have nieces or nephews from their own siblings. This one may not seem like a huge deal. In the end, it may not matter much, but I would like to know the world where I had a sibling with kids. When my cousins have kids I'll love them as if they were my nieces and nephews too, but this will always be something I'll never have myself biologically.

7. Pro : My opportunities in life.

Growing up my parents worked hard to give me a great life, and I am grateful for that every day. In high school, I was able to go skiing with the ski club to places like Vermont and Massachusetts. I was also very fortunate to be able to go abroad for a week and visit London, England. Not that I wouldn't have been able to do these things with siblings, but I know, however, that a lot of the opportunities I have been given were possible due to me being the only child to worry about. I always wish I had a sibling to go on those adventures with me but because my friends I got to experience them with people I cared about.

8. Con : No friend to be there to do all the things you want to do whenever you want.

This, I suppose, is the adult version of "Con No.2". I wish I had a sibling to go shopping with or get my nails done with or even go to a baseball game. It would be nice to have a sibling to share these times with so at family gatherings we'd have memories to share with everyone. There seems like a different kind of bond with a sibling than friends, though I've never had a sibling so I'll never know. This doesn't make any of my memories invalid, but it does make me wonder how things would've been different with a sibling around.

9. Pro : Building a strong relationship with my parents.

This one really goes for both myself as an only child and for people with siblings. As an only child, I was able to develop a really strong relationship with both my parents. Even if I had a sibling I know my parents would always keep a relationship going with me, and that's a great part of being an only child. You know your parents would be there for you and your sibling equally, and for me, it's a good feeling knowing I get my mom and dads love just as much as I would with a sibling.

10. Pro : Getting to call my best friends siblings.

All my close friends have become siblings to me. While I would love to say I have a blood sibling, I know I have multiple siblings with my friends. They make every moment special and keep me happy always. They go shopping with me and we go out to dinner; we always manage to make great memories. I will always cherish them as if they were my sisters and brothers. A bonus is I love every single one of their parents so, in addition to siblings, I get a lot of second parents who love me as if I were their own. It's an amazing feeling being loved by so many people that you consider family.