Why didn’t your parents have more kids?
Huh. Never thought about that, and never asked my parents. And now, as an adult, I almost feel like it’s insensitive to ask them. I’m afraid I may find out news that will hurt my feelings (like if my mother tried but had miscarriages, etc.). Honestly though if I had to guess, financial reasons probably.
Were your parents contented with one child or did they want more?
They seem content, I think if they truly wanted another kid they would have had one by now.
Did your parents feel pressured to have more kids?
I don’t know if they felt pressured by their peers or parents, but I certainly pressured them as a kid (lol).
How was growing up as an only child like? What was your childhood like?
I felt like I had a relatively normal childhood. I grew up on a farm, so I was always surrounded by animals that I made my “friends.” I also had cousins around or close to my age I played with as a child. I attended daycare most of my childhood because my parents both worked full time when I was kid, and if I wasn’t at daycare, I was with my grandparents. My mom is an only child as well, so it was usually just me over my mom’s mothers. Sometimes I did feel lonely, but I always found ways to entertain myself.
Did you at some point, wish you had siblings?
I always wished I had siblings as a child. I was jealous of the other children who did because I wanted someone my age to play with on vacations. I still wish I had siblings now as an adult so I could have a close family member my age to go to with problems I wouldn’t necessarily tell my parents.
Did your parents have “the talk” with you about why you’re an only child?
No… they didn’t. I am curious now though.
Did you ever lie about having siblings?
No, I’ve always told people I’m an only child.
Do you feel left out when people talk about their siblings?
I do sometimes, because I’ll never get to experience that type of relationship dynamic.
Are you an Introvert, ambivert or extrovert?
Extrovert for sure.
Are your parents overprotective?
Oh yes. 23 going on 13.
Did being an only child affect your social skills?
I don’t think so. Because I was still around children a lot in my childhood, I think I learned all the basics of sharing and empathy. I’m very outgoing now and can talk to a brick wall. Everyone thinks I’m very friendly, so I really don’t think being an only child affected my social skills in a negative way. In fact it may have even encouraged me to seek out more social relationships.
Is it easy for you to make friends?
Oh yes.
Do you consider your friends your siblings?
I consider friends of mine very close yes. Some friends I may consider my siblings.
Do you want kids?If so, would you like to have an only child?
I do want kids! However, I wouldn’t want an only child. I want to have at least 2 kids.
Does being an only child sometimes affect your decisions?
It has affected some of my life choices, yes. Like for example, upon moving and looking for jobs out of college, I opted to pick somewhere relatively close because I’m the only child and someone has to be close to look after my parents if something were to happen, and because I’m the only child that burden pretty much solely falls on me.
Growing up, how was your relationship with your parents?
Honestly, emotionally distant.
How is your relationship with your parents now?
Still emotionally distant but improving as I find my own freedom.
What effect does being an only child have on your romantic relationships?
Well, I don’t have many romantic relationships if that tells you anything lol. If anything, I am extra picky about who I chose to pursue relationships with because I don’t mind being alone.
What effect does being an only child have on your career?
I feel like it’s made me hyperindependent and very ambitious.
What are the biggest misconceptions about only children?
That were spoiled. I’m definitely not spoiled. Many of my friends with siblings parents paid for everyone in college including their rent and tuition and whatnot. Not me, I’ve always had to work for what I have. I don’t know if that’s necessarily an only child thing or just “my family is low income” thing. But either way, I’m not spoiled.
Do you get along well with adults?
Oh yes! I’ve been told I’m very comfortable around adults, and that’s how some people can tell I’m an only child.
Do you do well with kids?
Yes and I work with kids in my job!
When was it the most hard being an only child, in adolescent or adulthood?
Adulthood. Think about being the sole person responsible for your aging parents. It’s a large weight to carry.
How do people react when you tell them that you’re an only child?
Some are surprised- some aren’t.
What fears do you have, that stem from being an only child?
Dying alone!
How do you feel about your birthday? Growing up, how did you celebrate birthdays? How do you celebrate birthdays now?
I definitely feel like I give too much importance to my birthday and always feel like down when it doesn’t work out exactly, but I think that’s like an everyone thing to be honest.
Do you talk to yourself?
No.
Did you / do you have imaginary friends?
Maybe I did when I was younger for pretend, but I never thought they were actually real (lol).
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?
I would just try to hide it lol.
What do you think is your best personality trait?
My ability to put people at ease!
Do you enjoy being the center of attention?
Sometimes.
Have you always been a good kid?
Not always, I’ve had a few defiant moments in my teen years lol.
What life skills do you have, thanks to being an only child?
Knowing how to be independent and comfortable alone.
What about sibling-ship makes you glad that you’re an only child?
People eating your food. I would hate that.
Do you think that there are few only children, compared to people with siblings?
Oh yes. I don’t really know anyone else who’s an only child.
Do you feel the pressure to be perfect?
All the time! But I don’t think that’s because I’m an only child.
Growing up, did you have pets? Do you still have pets?
Yes! But I was only allowed to have one pet of each species lol. 1 cat, 1 dog, 1 fish. I don’t have any pets of my own right now, any pets I had in childhood are kind of my parents now.