Why didn’t your parents have more kids?
My mum was an only child and liked it very much; my dad has four siblings and wasn’t a fan
Were your parents content with one child or did they want more?
They were content
Did your parents feel pressured to have more kids?
Not that I know of
What was growing up as an only child like? What was your childhood like?
I spent a lot of my free time playing by myself, and I was perfectly fine with that. I also have a cousin (f) around my age, so we were kinda like siblings-but-not-really
Did/do you have imaginary friends?
No
Did you at some point, wish you had siblings?
Never
Did your parents have “the talk” with you about why you’re an only child?
Not really
Did you ever lie about having siblings?
Yes, once, I don’t know why but I told people I had a brother named Patrick…
Seeing most people with siblings, how do you cope?
I don’t. It doesn’t phase me at all
Do you feel lonely sometimes? Would it be better if you had a sibling?
I can feel lonely, but I never felt the need of a sibling to fill in that role
Are you an introvert, ambivert or extrovert?
Ambivert leaning into introversion
Are your parents overprotective?
My mum a bit. My dad would’ve sold a kidney to see me take more risks.
Did being an only child affect your social skills?
Not really, I went to kindergarten and had little friends over at home sometimes, so it was cool
What’s your personality type?
INFP
Is it easy for you to make friends?
At the very beginning it’s very difficult for me to break the ice. Once that’s out of the way, cakewalk.
Do you consider your friends your siblings?
No, I like to treat them like we’re a weird sitcom family lol
Do you want kids?If so, would you like to have an only child?
It’s too early to tell, but when I imagine myself with kids, I do imagine them being an only child
Does being an only child sometimes affect your decisions?
It does, in a sense that I’m my father and grandparent’s only child. I do have to keep that into consideration, I have a “responsibility” towards them.
Growing up, how was your relationship with your parents?
Highs and lows. My parents were good, but they also deeply hurt me. Especially when they divorced, they were so selfish and I just felt so neglected, I never truly forgave them for that.
How is your relationship with your parents now?
The thing about my parents is that I feel like the least time I spend with them, the more we get along. If we do something together once in a while (well with my dad because mum’s dead, but it was the same), it worked just fine; but when we stayed together all day every day, things started to get mouldy between us.
What are your thoughts on “Only Child Syndrome”?
I can see that, kinda relatable, I was a bit spoiled growing up But I disagree on the “selfish bossy and antisocial” aspects. We’re only children, not monsters.
Growing up, did you get along well with older people?
I’m an old lady trapped in the body of a young man. Old people are my people.
Do you do well with kids?
Kinda. Being an only child, and me and my cousin being the youngest of the family, it meant growing up with no exposure to children younger than us at all. To this day, I’ve never touched a baby, nor am I close with someone who has kids.
But when I do interact with kids, they usually like me, especially when they find out I’m an artist and/or a nerd. “Did you know he draws really well?” and boom, their eyes will sparkle.
Are you spoiled? If so, in what ways?
I was a bit spoiled in the sense that I never had to worry about sharing things, or asking for things. Pretty much if I wanted something I would have it. But I’ve never been mean demanding, I would simply ask please. I was taught to be generous, humble, and that good behaviour and doing your best come with rewards.
When was it the most hard being an only child, childhood, adolescence or adulthood?
Adolescence probably: divorce, puberty, bullying, sexuality, it was all too much to handle.
How do people react when you tell them that you’re an only child?
They don’t react in any particular way
Do you talk to yourself?
All the time
Which of these things is the most important to you? Privacy, companionship, alone time, attention.
Companionship, but that doesn’t mean being together 24/7.
Who did you blame when you did something wrong as a kid?
The universe, lol. I would go for the good old “It’s not fair! I didn’t mean to do that!”
What do you miss most about being a kid?
The sense of wonder and grandeur of the world. Things felt much more mystical back then. Not that I’ve grown into a cynical man, but the world’s lost some of that magic growing up…
Have you always been a “good child”?
The thing about being a good child is that you are one… as long as adults think that. And adults did. I’ve always been nice, but boy, sometimes I was a little gremlin.
What life skills do you have, thanks to being an only child?
The ability of being on my own
What aspects of sibling-ship makes you glad that you’re an only child?
The drama. Sometimes I hear things between siblings that are just so stupid and upsetting, and I’m glad I don’t have to go through that.
Do you feel the pressure to be perfect?
Not necessarily “perfect”, but I do feel the weight of expectations of my family on me.
Do you think you worry more or less about your parents because you are an only child?
I don’t really worry about my dad, he’s fine, he’s healthy. My grandparents I worry a lot more, especially since the death of my mother. Anything that could possibly happen to them is on my shoulders now.
Do you feel obligated to take care of your parents when they get old?
It’s a thought that I try to avoid as much as possible
What are the most annoying things that people have said to you about being an only child?
That I’m unhappier because having a sibling is a beautiful thing… nah. I’m fine, thanks.
What are the biggest misconceptions about only children?
That we NEED a sibling, because no amount of friends or other relatives could ever fill that missing void that ONLY a sibling can complete.
What are advantages of being an only child?
Again, carrying the whole family expectations on my shoulders
Growing up, did you have pets? Do you still have pets?
No, I never did, but I’d like to have a cat
How do you feel about how Only Children are portrayed in media? What are your favorite pieces of media with authentic representation?
I feel like Chihiro in “Spirited Away” is a fantastic example of an only child. A bit bratty and fussy in the beginning, clinging onto mummy and daddy, but wise and independent by the end.
If you had a choice, would you choose to be an only child?
Yes