Why didn’t your parents have more kids?
my mom always said if her first was a girl, she wouldnt have anymore. plus both my parents a healthily selfish and wanted to be able to have everything they want and provide the same for me.
Were your parents contented with one child or did they want more?
content
Did your parents feel pressured to have more kids?
i dont think so. they were in their early 30s when they had me, which was considered older to start a family. so everyone was probably just thrilled they had 1.
How was growing up as an only child like? What was your childhood like?
i loved it. the teen years were hard because i was the only thing my parents had to focus on and had no one else to compare me to.
Did you at some point, wish you had siblings?
during the teen years, just to share the focus
Did your parents have “the talk” with you about why you’re an only child?
there was no official talk. i would ask when i was younger why i didnt have siblings and my mom would just tell me they were content with 1 kid and being able to easily provide for me
Did you ever lie about having siblings?
no
Seeing most people with siblings, how do you cope?
theres nothing to cope with. i see a lot more of siblings not getting along than i see examples of close ones. it seems like them maintaining their relationship is a chore and expectation.
Do you feel lonely sometimes? Would it be better if you had a sibling?
never. nope, its another relationship to tend to. i’m more of a lone wolf
Do you feel left out when people talk about their siblings?
nope
Are you an Introvert, ambivert or extrovert?
ambivert. outgoing with people i know and am comfortable with. clam up completely around new people until i can feel them out better.
Are your parents overprotective?
extremely
Did being an only child affect your social skills?
no
What’s your personality type?
no clue
Is it easy for you to make friends?
if they have something in common with me
Do you consider your friends your siblings?
somewhat
Do you want kids?If so, would you like to have an only child?
i have an only child
Does being an only child sometimes affect your decisions?
no
How has being an only child affected your life, or how is being an only child affecting your life?
my parents are still helicopter parents. i dont really tell them any big plans out of fear of them interjecting themselves. like getting a new car or changing jobs – i tell them when its already a done deal.
Growing up, how was your relationship with your parents?
my dad worked overseas a lot so i feel like i was raised by a single mom. teen years were ROUGH and it strained our relationship because they treated me like an inmate
How is your relationship with your parents now?
much better. ive learned how to navigate them. still have issues with boundaries which is why its easier to omit information and keep them in the dark
What effect does being an only child have on your romantic relationships?
well i married my highschool sweetheart who is also an only child. and we have a great marriage
What effect does being an only child have on your career?
none at all
What are the biggest misconceptions about only children?
no social skills, unable to share, self absorbed
Do you get along well with adults?
yes
Do you do well with kids?
not a huge fan of other peoples kids outside of family and friends
Are you spoiled?If so, in what ways?
absolutely. my dad worked overseas or in different parts of the US and my parents loved to travel – so i did A LOT of travelling growing up because mom and i would vacation wherever he was working. they also bought me my first car. i got a horse as a teenager – had to maintain my grades to stay in equestrian life. got a few scholarships for college – and they paid for the rest. they currently pay my daughters private school tuition.
Do you sometimes feel like your parents put up with you because they don’t have a choice?
not really.
When was it the most hard being an only child, in adolescent or adulthood?
adolescent
When did you start to like being an only child?
as an adult
How do people react when you tell them that you’re an only child?
they usually tell me “you dont act like an only child”
What fears do you have, that stem from being an only child?
none that i’m aware of
In what scenarios do you feel that being an only child is an issue?
aging parents and the desire to want to move away from the area.
How do you feel about your birthday? Growing up, how did you celebrate birthdays? How do you celebrate birthdays now?
wouldnt care if i never celebrated another one. growing up, they were a big deal to my mom. now they buy me a nice gift and take my family out to dinner at a place of my choice.
Do you talk to yourself?
oh yea. all the time
Did you / do you have imaginary friends?
no
Which of these things is the most important to you? Privacy, companionship, alone time, attention.
alone time
Who did you blame when you did something wrong as a kid?
the dog
What do you miss most about being a kid?
the alone time and the ability to do whatever i want, whenever i want
What do you think is your best personality trait?
i dont sugar coat anything and i’m realistic
What do you think is your worst personality trait?
i easily get overstimulated and start to melt down. loud, busy enviornments
Do you enjoy being the center of attention?
hell no
Have you always been a good kid?
yes. but my parents will tell you different because i smoked weed and dyed my hair black in highschool
What life skills do you have, thanks to being an only child?
self sufficient
Do you think being an only child affects mental health? If so, how?
no
What stereotypes about only children do you not relate to?
weird, doesnt like to share
What stereotypes about only children do you relate to?
i like being alone
What about sibling-ship makes you glad that you’re an only child?
another opinion to deal with in regards to aging parents and competitiveness.
What are the most annoying things that people have said to you about being an only child?
no social skills
What are things to NOT say to an only child?
are you a weird only child? will you share?
Do you think that there are few only children, compared to people with siblings?
i used to. but now that my daughter is in school, its a lot more common
Do you feel the pressure to be perfect?
yes and no. perfection to my parents is having a career, a savings and financial stability. so yes when i was growing up, now that i’m 34, no.
What are the most only child things about you?
i really enjoy my alone time
Do you sometimes worry about your parents, because you’re their only child?
yes, once their health deteriorates. but theyre both in great shape now, so its not really on my mind
Do you feel obligated to take care of our parents when they get old?
yes
What advice do you have for parents of an only child?
put them in preschool at 2. they need to socialization
What are the disadvantages of being an only child?
only thing for your parents to focus on growing up and the only person they can depend on when they get old
What are the advantages of being an only child?
growing up, you have a lot more options with extra activities. its easier to save for the kids future. much more financial freedom
Do you love or hate being an only child?
love
If you had a choice, would you choose to be an only child?
yes
Growing up, did you have pets? Do you still have pets?
yes, i had a dog, chinchilla, hamster, guinea pigs, a horse and turtles. now i have 2 dogs, 5 chickens and 2 giant tortoises