Life as an only child has its ups and downs. It is nice because you get a lot of attention and often times there is enough extra money for one of something where there would not of been for more than one. It also means that your parents have more time to spend with you and at your events. Being an only child meant that when I had children, they were never compared to other grandchildren and they were enveloped in their grandparents love. Being an only child can be wonderful.
Life as an only child also means that you have no one to watch tv or play with at home. There is no one to sit with you when your parents are arguing. Being an only child means that your parents are aware of your every move and your every mistake. They are entirely focused on you and at times it is hard to breathe. Being an only child means that as your parents age, they want and need your attention more than ever and there is no one to share this extra work with. There is no sibling to sit next to you at your parents' funerals and no one that rally understands your life to go into that lonely house and get it cleaned so it can be sold. There is no one to plant flowers with or talk about memories with on Memorial Day. There are no cousins for your children to grow up playing with and spending holidays as an extended family. Being an only child can be sad.
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Comments: 26
My brother? Well, he grew up spoiled by his older sister and turned into an arrogant a**, whom as an adult, I avoid.
I've lived both sides of it, and from my perspective everything changed when they came along. Though I loved both my siblings dearly, I missed the days of just me and mom.
This is very nice!
I am the middle child, but the only female. Sometimes that made me feel like an only child because my brothers would be off doing something and I was not invited. Or, they would be allowed to do things that girls were not, at least not by my folks. Maybe I wasn't *only* but I was sure *lonely.* Are we ever happy with what we have? Is the grass on this side ever going to be greener?
tammy b - That is my daughter's situation too. She actually pulls her brothers closer together. I think it is a girl thing.
I understand your loneliness, but I'm glad you were loved and cherished by your parents.
That being said, I wouldn't have it any other way. My father's younger girlfriend talked of wanting kids and at 35 I don't want a sibling! I don't want to share the relationship that I have with my parents! Thank gosh, he talked her out of it.
I feel blessed to have seen both sides, kind of like your article does.