Why didn’t your parents have more kids?
Pregnancy complications, age, finances
Were your parents content with one child or did they want more?
They tried 5 times before me, but at the end of the day they were fine with one
Did your parents feel pressured to have more kids?
No
What was growing up as an only child like? What was your childhood like?
I grew up surrounded by kids because of my moms daycare. However, once she closed it and took on another profession, I became extremely lonely
Did/do you have imaginary friends?
No
Did you at some point, wish you had siblings?
Almost everyday now
Did your parents have “the talk” with you about why you’re an only child?
No
Did you ever lie about having siblings?
Due to my moms five miscarriages, I sometimes bend the truth on my status as an only child. Before I was born she had a girl who was a stillborn so I catch myself saying I had an older sister who died sometimes.
Seeing most people with siblings, how do you cope?
I try to ignore it, usually just get jealous, but I cope.
Do you feel lonely sometimes? Would it be better if you had a sibling?
Ofc I get lonely and ofc it would be better
Are you an introvert, ambivert or extrovert?
Ambivert
Are your parents overprotective?
My mom used to be, not anymore
Did being an only child affect your social skills?
It didn’t really, I had friends growing up. I just felt there was a part of me that was missing.
What’s your personality type?
INFP
Is it easy for you to make friends?
Not really? I get awkward meeting new people but I’m fine with the amount of friends I have right now.
Do you consider your friends your siblings?
I guess me and my other only child friends have that bond.
Do you want kids?If so, would you like to have an only child?
I want kids 100%. I’m having at least 2 though. Preferably 3
Does being an only child sometimes affect your decisions?
No, maybe on my parents
Growing up, how was your relationship with your parents?
Fine, they were separated and both single. Dad had the money, mom was poor
How is your relationship with your parents now?
Still fine
What did your parents do right and wrong, in raising an only child?
I’d say right was putting me in an environment with other children my age early on. Wrong was making me an only child in the first place. Another wrong was not sending me to summer camp. Summers were the loneliest times of my life.
What effects does being an only child have on your life (relationships, career) e.t.c?
Increased Independence in relationships and career. I kinda neglect the relationship because I’m so used to and comfortable being alone. With career I don’t know yet because I’m 15
What are your thoughts on “Only Child Syndrome”?
Some people have it, I don’t think I do.
Growing up, did you get along well with older people?
Not particularly?
Do you do well with kids?
Yes I love children
Are you spoiled? If so, in what ways?
I got more vacations than a child with siblings would I suppose. I was never spoiled though. My mother was always impoverished
When was it the most hard being an only child, childhood, adolescence or adulthood?
I’m not an adult so I’d say adolescence.
How do people react when you tell them that you’re an only child?
“Wow I wish I was one” “I can tell” “take my siblings, I hate them”
How do you feel about your birthday? Growing up, how did you celebrate birthdays? How do you celebrate birthdays now?
Hated it. Always felt lonely. Since my parents were not together they always did a birthday that suited them over what I wanted. At 13 they threw me a “surprise” birthday at a hotdog stand. I hate hotdogs and they only invited 5 people who I wasn’t even friends with.
Do you talk to yourself?
No
Which of these things is the most important to you? Privacy, companionship, alone time, attention.
Privacy
Who did you blame when you did something wrong as a kid?
Myself
What do you miss most about being a kid?
Not caring about having siblings or not. Not caring in general
What do you think is your best personality trait?
Humor, discipline, independence
What do you think is your worst personality trait?
Jealousy
Do you enjoy being the center of attention?
No
Have you always been a “good child”?
Kinda, I hid a lot of things from my parents but I got good grades
What life skills do you have, thanks to being an only child?
Independance
Do you think being an only child affects mental health? If so, how?
Yea, makes me depressed sometimes. I’ve cried multiple times about not having a sibling.
What aspects of sibling-ship makes you glad that you’re an only child?
Having to share and The fights?
Do you think that there are few only children, compared to people with siblings?
20% onlies to 80% siblinged people
Do you feel the pressure to be perfect?
Yea
Do you think you worry more or less about your parents because you are an only child?
More
Do you feel obligated to take care of your parents when they get old?
Yes, especially my mother whos developing multiple health issues in her 50’s and going blind. She expects to live with me when she’s older and decrepit. I don’t know how to break the news to her that she’s not going to be living with me and my future family lol.
What are the most annoying things that people have said to you about being an only child?
“Lucky” “I can tell” “take mine” “I bet you get a lot of presents”
What are things to NOT say to an only child?
Everything above
What are the biggest misconceptions about only children?
Spoiled, bratty, snooty
What are the most “only child things” about you?
I get attached to my friends easily and feel a little betrayed when they ignore me ig?
What stereotypes about only children do you not relate to?
Bratty, spoiled, snooty, happier
What fears do you have, that stem from being an only child?
Being alone when my parents pass
What are disadvantages of being an only child?
Everything
What are advantages of being an only child?
I don’t see any advantages really. I’d still have the same advantages had I been a sibling
What advice do you have for parents of Only children?
Give them a sibling, if not adopt, if not surround them with cousins and young people
What advice do you have for only children?
It’s gonna be alright at the end of the day. Doesn’t matter too much:(
Growing up, did you have pets? Do you still have pets?
Outside cats that I fed. My mom was allergic so I didn’t bring them in
How do you feel about how Only Children are portrayed in media? What are your favorite pieces of media with authentic representation?
I can’t name some at the top of my head but I definitely feel like it depends on the genre. There’s a genre that has to do with siblings (ie frozen) that I’ll never be able to relate to so that sucks. However if the genre is drama or romance, siblings aren’t gonna be present (ie Shawshank redemption, Barbie, lots of others!)
What’s your general outlook on being an only child? If positive, when did you start to like being an only child?
Negative
If you had a choice, would you choose to be an only child?
Not at all.
Tell your story, opinions, experiences.
Above