Only Children-The Joys and Sorrows of Having No Sibling

Self-explainatory. Here are some starter questions.

1. Are you an only child?

2. Do you like being an only child?

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

:lol: Hope someone posts soon!

1. Are you an only child?
Well, not anymore. I was an only child for seven years though.

2. Do you like being an only child?
No I didn't. Not back then. Life was so -- boring. I had imaginary siblings back then. I would imagine having like five brothers and sisters. It was kind of fun, but nothing like having a real sibling.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
All the time I did. Now I only have one sister (who claims me, I don't count the ones who don't count me--long story). That was like all I ever thought about.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
Mostly. LOL. I was very spoiled, all I had to say is "I want that" and I had it. I was very selfish, and maybe still am a little.

Even though I do have a little sister now (seven years difference) I've always wanted a large family. I thought it would be lots of fun. But then again there would be no privacy. I do enjoy my privacy I get having a small family. People don't get into my business, I can use the computer for as long as I want without worrying about being pushed off (since we have three computers--one for my mom, one for me, and my sister uses the laptop).

1. Are you an only child?
Yes.

2. Do you like being an only child?
Not really. It can be kind of lonely.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Yes. I've always wanted a little brother to look after and I always like that idea when I think of it. I also like the idea of nieces and nephews, which I'll never have unless I get married to someone with siblings, but they still won't be blood-related :(
4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
In general, yes. I was spoiled when I was little. A little bit now, too, I guess. I don't think I was bratty, well, no more so than any teenage girl :rotfl: And I used to be pretty selfish, but I wouldn't say I am now.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
Little. I don't want a lot of kids.

1. Are you an only child?
Yes.

2. Do you like being an only child?
Very much so.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

I used to but never seriously. I had solid friendships that battled the loneliness and I came to enjoy solitude at a young age

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

It is a stereotype. I've met families with three or more sibs who were far more spoiled and selfish than I ever was, even in my youth. Even with just the three of us my family was struggling to make ends meet. I got alot of love and respect from my parents and I never took for granted the things I did get.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
Little! Two children at the max. I find that because I like peace and quiet that often times even having one child around grates on my nerves. I like my social time to be structured not freewheeling. :)

1. Are you an only child?

Yep I am :).


2. Do you like being an only child?

For the most part. But I do miss not having a brother or a sister every so often. Some else who I could talk to besides my cousin or other members of my family and stuff.


3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

Every once in a while.


4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

To a point. It all comes down to how they're brought up. Same thing with kids who have brothers and sisters... they can behave in the same fashion if not brought up with manners and what not.


For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

Toughie... it would be somewhere in the middle for me. A medium sized family would be just fine :).

1. Are you an only child?
Yes!

2. Do you like being an only child?
Very much so! No sharing!

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
It would probably be a wreck. Considering my father is in the military, I'd probably have to share a room half of the time, and would probably be irritated.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
I completely agree, considering I am spoiled, selfish, and bratty on occasion.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
A small family; less people to feed, clothe, and all that.

1. Are you an only child?

Yep
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2. Do you like being an only child?

When I was really young, like "I believe in Santa" type young, it did bother me, but as I got older, it really didn't and seems that the time I really wanted a sibling, was at Christmas time. I just got used to it. Had a lot of "imaginary friends" and all that. lol But seriously, when younger, I always wanted to have a Christmas like how they did on Rugrats (the first special). Remember they rented a cabin and everyone was there, and Drew was going to dress as Santa, that type of thing. I always wanted that, but, as I got older, didn't think much more of it.

As young as three, I got used of relying on myself and entertaining myself, hence why junk like "time out" wouldn't have worked for a person like me as a kid. :lol:
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3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

A little. I always imagined what it would've been like if I'd had an older brother. I've always wanted an older brother. Never wanted younger siblings or sisters, just an older brother. Maybe to roughhouse with.
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4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

Probably depends on the person in question. It can be a yes and a no in some cases. I don't know why, but some people accuse me of being "spoiled" because I don't speak up much which was surprising to me (and my mother) because I wasn't the type to throw tantrums, I didn't beg for stuff, I earn ed what I did get, etc.

I do feel that when it comes to attention, an only child might be a bit spoiled, because an only child would be used of always having that attention.
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For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

I'd rather have a small family. I like quiet too much. I grew up around three older people (my parents and grandmother), so that probably has a lot to do with it. I'm just used of it. I don't even want to have any children to be completely honest.

1. Are you an only child?
I felt like an only child growing up. My brother is 11 years younger then me. We never fought over toys or anything really.

2. Do you like being an only child?
Yes I did, even after my brother was born, I still felt like an only child because of the age difference.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Nope. I never wondered what it be like if I siblings closer to my age.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
No

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

I only have one child and my husband and I aren't going to have anymore.

OK, my turn now. :lol:

1. Are you an only child?

Yep

2. Do you like being an only child?
Back when I was a kid, I hated being an only child. But now I'm fine. Obviously.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Many a time. Mostly when I was a kid, of course.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
No, of course. We weren't well-to-do, for starters, so there was very little chance of me to be spoiled. And I'd share my things with my school friends. I think it's upbringing that has a huge effect on whether one was spoiled or not, not birth order-or lack thereof. By the way, in Asian society, it's the youngest child that's spoiled and pampered, rather than only children. (No offense to youngest children who are reading this.)

And the thing about only children craving attention. I don't WANT attention. I hate attention. Attention, spotlight, anything like that, is the last thing I want.

1. Are you an only child?

Yes.

2. Do you like being an only child?

Yes.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

Yes. That's why I answer question 2 with a yes.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

No, my family is actually pretty poor. My father died when I was younger and my mother doesn't have a high-paying job, so no, they're not spoiled. Nor selfish, but usually more mature. They play alone (I did, at least) and mature at younger age. It might seem selfish, but actually only-childs are more mature. (Not talking bad about people with siblings, I'm only saying that when you're alone, you need to learn to look out for yourself.)

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

Little. I like to know like 2 people very well, rather than only know the main, most important things on say 4 people.

^ I think that's a very unfair generalisation about children with siblings. I know plenty of selfish, immature only children while I have a sibling and am miles ahead maturity-wise compared to others my age. I was always a very independent child, despite having a sister.

My boyfriend on the other hand, who is an only child, is still very dependant on his parents to do things for him (eg cleaning, cooking etc). I think maybe if he'd had a sibling he wouldn't take so much for granted.

My point is there are pluses and minuses for both and both children with and without siblings are going to mature at different rates, but I disagree it has anything to do with siblings but more to do with parents and personal responsibility.

Please do excuse me for that, but I'm only talking about my own experiences and people I know.

People in my area are always alone and just learn to look out for themselves.

It, of course, depends from person to person.

It also depends greatly on family background, that kind of thing.

the thread seems directed towards only-children in particular, but i figured i'd throw my opinion in. ;)

Speaking only from personal experience...

I do agree, to an extent, with the stereotype that only-children are spoiled. I think it has a lot to do with parenting styles, as to which kids come out spoiled. However, most of the only children i know are spoiled in some way, particularly attention-wise. I don't think that's really something parents can help, exactly...if you have multiple kids, they get less individual attention than an only-child, there's really no way to give multiple kids the same amount of attention you can give to just one.

Right now my niece is an only-child (and worse, an only-grandchild, on both sides of her family)...she's incredibly spoiled attention-wise. It's not something we can help. She's got her parents, 4 grandparents, 5 aunts, and 3 uncles who all love her to bits and will do anything to make her smile, including giving her all the attention she wants. And she does know how to get it already. :lol: She's only 5 months old, so spoiling her now isn't doing any harm. My sister and brother-in-law want a big family, so she will have to learn to share the attention as well as the toys and clothes. My sister is pretty anti-spoiled kids, so if she for some reason weren't to have more kids, she'd do everything she could to make sure my niece didn't turn out spoiled. We were really poor growing up, and it taught us a lot about being grateful for what we're given.

Sharing (and being grateful for what they're given) is big thing that the only-children that i know have problems with. When you have siblings, you're sharing things from the moment you're born. My sisters and i shared everything, clothes, toys, books, shoes, our parents' attention...everything. I think kids who grow up having to share everything learn a lot sooner how to compromise and figure out how to get along with people...the only-children i know had problems with that growing up. Some still do.

Sometimes i think parents think that they're doing their kids a favor by giving in to every demand and giving them everything they want, but honestly, there's a point when that is really doing more harm than good. Take, for example, the girl my little sister works with. All she has to do is say she wants something and her parents get it for her. She's never had to pay for anything. She's never had to work for anything. She's never even filled up her own car with gas...when she needs gas, she tells her parents, and the next day it's there. She's 19 and moving away to school soon, and she has no idea how to take care of herself...she can't cook or clean up after herself, she's never done laundry, she has no idea how to budget...her parents do everything for her. As my little sister so kindly put it "Your life is really going to suck when you go to school and don't have your mom and dad to take care of you 24/7".

And while that's a bit of an extreme example, the parents of only-children that i know often do give in to every demand their child makes, or give them whatever they ask for. It's vastly different from my family, and my friends' families...my mom taught us to do our laundry when we were 10. If we wanted a new toy or new clothes we had to do chores for them. There was no allowance fairy, we didn't get money for anything except birthdays unless we worked for it. If around Christmas or birthdays we got the "gimme"s, my mom took us to homeless shelters to volunteer for a few hours, to give us some perspective.

As far as being an only child, i'm glad i wasn't one. I imagine it would be very lonely. Having siblings can be really annoying at times, but it's also like having a built-in best friend. Growing up, my sisters were (and still are) my very best friends. I always had someone to play with, or a shoulder to cry on, and someone i could talk to about anything. I have a close relationship with my parents, but it's really nothing compared to how close i am with my sisters.

I think it's interesting that all the only-children in the thread so far have posted that they want small families. :lol: Maybe you have to be in a big family to want to have a big family of your own? I love big families. My aunts and uncles all have 5-9 kids each (my family is the smallest, my parents only had 3 kids), and we're all really close. I love how loud and crazy our family is, and i love the chaos with everyone everywhere. There are fights. Tons of them. Huge ones. Sometimes I think the bigger your family is, the bigger the fights get. But there's also a whole lot of love and a ton of fun, and it's completely worth it.

Please do excuse me for that, but I'm only talking about my own experiences and people I know.

People in my area are always alone and just learn to look out for themselves.

It, of course, depends from person to person.

It does vary from person to person. My experience has found the exact opposite. I'll never forget when my brother (3 years my senior) was a sophomore in college. He came home one weekend and thanked my parents for having me (which may be the only time that happened) as soon as he walked in the door. The reason was the night before he had to listen to his only-child roommate try to explain to his mother why he would not be coming home for the second-straight weekend. It was awkward enough that my brother was thankful for me solely because my existence spared him from a similar conversation. While that's an extreme case, my experiences with other only children tend to support the idea that they are coddled more than siblings, and as a result tend to lack that independent spirit. In many cases they're slobs, never learning to clean up after themselves because their parents always did that for them.

I think it's interesting that all the only-children in the thread so far have posted that they want small families. :lol: Maybe you have to be in a big family to want to have a big family of your own?

I don't know. My husband comes from a pretty big family: 2 brothers, a ton of cousins, aunts, uncles. He never wanted a big family of his own. If we're in a situation were there is a lot of children running around, it really grates our nerves. :lol:

1. Are you an only child?

Yes! :cool:

2. Do you like being an only child?

Yes! :cool:

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

Yes. I've certainly never wished for it though.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

Nope! :cool:

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

Small, please! :tu:

1. Are you an only child?

Yes, indeed.

2. Do you like being an only child?

It has its ups and downs. You get pampered as a kid a lot (at least that's what I've observed), but then your parents expect you to be very successful, since their hopes and dreams are riding on only one child. But generally, I've been pretty happy as an only child.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

It'd be fun to have a younger sister. I could scare off the punks that try to go out with her and be the stereotypical overbearing big brother, haha. Joking, of course. :D

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

Eh, not particularly. Early on, I was a bit spoiled, but I generally kept it in check outside of my family. Eventually, I grew out of it.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

Depends on where I am when I start a family, if I can afford to raise multiple children. I'd like to have maybe two or three kids, at least one boy and one girl, so I can have the experience of raising both.

1. Are you an only child?
Why yes, yes I am. Thanks! ^^

2. Do you like being an only child?
I actually do. I have spent alot of time with cousins, but most of my life is in solitude family wise.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Plenty of times, sure. I generally find myself wanting my current life style though.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
I think it just depends on the person, of course. But that's not to say it does not have a pretty big influence on the person. I myself am spoiled. This is due to a lack of multiple vessels to put their attention to on my parent's part, and the willingness to accept it all by me.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
I would actually like a very small one. In fact, just a wife/girlfriend really. I love families, and big ones are awesome, but that life isn't for me. More of an observer when it comes to that.

I think people who aren't only siblings are ignoring all the negative aspects of being one when judging us. As someone earlier mentions, your parents are depending on YOU to be successful. They don't experience parenthood, 2, 3, 4 times. They experience it once. When you go off to college, they have no kids to parent back home.

And I'm being stereotyped as being spoiled? Do forgive me, but I know plenty of multiple-child families that have much more money than my parents do, therefore those kids get more material things than I do. I think it doesn't go one way or the other. Siblings can be spoiled as much as only children can.

Lastly, apparently I haven't learned to share either, nor has my friend who's an only child too. May I say that I went to pre-school and learned sharing there. Shoot, I lent my friend's little sister my copy of The Bad Beginning for an entire year and never bothered her about giving it back.

So much depends on parenting style, not necessarily if there are multiple children in a family. For instance, a parent of an only child may make sure their kid learns to share. Let's say siblings get into a fight about borrowing something from each other. They have a bad parent who is too lazy to step in or care and thus they never learn sharing. There are many, many other circumstances other than how many brothers or sisters you have.

I'm sorry but most of these stereotypes are likely wrong, to put it bluntly.

I think people who aren't only siblings are ignoring all the negative aspects of being one when judging us. As someone earlier mentions, your parents are depending on YOU to be successful. They don't experience parenthood, 2, 3, 4 times. They experience it once. When you go off to college, they have no kids to parent back home.

And I'm being stereotyped as being spoiled? Do forgive me, but I know plenty of multiple-child families that have much more money than my parents do, therefore those kids get more material things than I do. I think it doesn't go one way or the other. Siblings can be spoiled as much as only children can.

Lastly, apparently I haven't learned to share either, nor has my friend who's an only child too. May I say that I went to pre-school and learned sharing there. Shoot, I lent my friend's little sister my copy of The Bad Beginning for an entire year and never bothered her about giving it back.

So much depends on parenting style, not necessarily if there are multiple children in a family. For instance, a parent of an only child may make sure their kid learns to share. Let's say siblings get into a fight about borrowing something from each other. They have a bad parent who is too lazy to step in or care and thus they never learn sharing. There are many, many other circumstances other than how many brothers or sisters you have.

I'm sorry but most of these stereotypes are likely wrong, to put it bluntly.

As mine was the only post that emphasized sharing, and a few other points you mentioned, let me bold parts of it that you seem to have missed.

Speaking only from personal experience...

I do agree, to an extent, with the stereotype that only-children are spoiled. I think it has a lot to do with parenting styles, as to which kids come out spoiled. However, most of the only children i know are spoiled in some way, particularly attention-wise. I don't think that's really something parents can help, exactly

Sharing (and being grateful for what they're given) is big thing that the only-children that i knowhave problems with. When you have siblings, you're sharing things from the moment you're born. My sisters and i shared everything, clothes, toys, books, shoes, our parents' attention...everything. I think kids who grow up having to share everything learn a lot sooner how to compromise and figure out how to get along with people...the only-children i know had problems with that growing up. Some still do.

I think I made it very obvious that I was talking specifically about people i know in person, and that these are the people who have shaped my view of only-children, and that i understand there are people, many of them, who don't fit the stereotypes just as there are many who do. The rest of this thread in general has also pointed out, a few times, that it has largely to do with parenting styles.

Well, here in my country, due to over-effectiveness of family planning and the very high cost of living, there are many single-child families. Though in my case, my parents only had one child because they were quite old when they had me. I think in countries like mine where only children are so common, we aren't the spoiled ones anymore. In fact, my dad who has five brothers, only one has a big family of three kids. (I know! Three kids is actually counted as a huge family.) Three of the brothers (my dad, and two of his brother) have singe-child families. (In fact, in countries like ours, the youngest child is the pampered one of the family instead of the only child.) No offense meant to anyone :)

So, how's the single-child family situation in your country? Is it very common, or not at all?


I think it's interesting that all the only-children in the thread so far have posted that they want small families. :lol: Maybe you have to be in a big family to want to have a big family of your own? I love big families. My aunts and uncles all have 5-9 kids each (my family is the smallest, my parents only had 3 kids), and we're all really close. I love how loud and crazy our family is, and i love the chaos with everyone everywhere. There are fights. Tons of them. Huge ones. Sometimes I think the bigger your family is, the bigger the fights get. But there's also a whole lot of love and a ton of fun, and it's completely worth it.

I s'pose it's true, but not really for this only child ;). I would like to have a huge family. If a) ah...people like me (as in, um...not straight. Shall not elaborate since it's a family-friendly forum) get to adopt in my country. b) the cost of living in my country is lowered. Then, I'd love to have a family swarming with kids. I love kids, it's just the circumstances that make it difficult for me to want a huge family.

Sometimes i think parents think that they're doing their kids a favor by giving in to every demand and giving them everything they want, but honestly, there's a point when that is really doing more harm than good. Take, for example, the girl my little sister works with. All she has to do is say she wants something and her parents get it for her. She's never had to pay for anything. She's never had to work for anything. She's never even filled up her own car with gas...when she needs gas, she tells her parents, and the next day it's there. She's 19 and moving away to school soon, and she has no idea how to take care of herself...she can't cook or clean up after herself, she's never done laundry, she has no idea how to budget...her parents do everything for her. As my little sister so kindly put it "Your life is really going to suck when you go to school and don't have your mom and dad to take care of you 24/7".

I assure you this is not the case for all only children. Your acquaintance is probably an extreme case. I have to chip in and help-probably even worse since I can't swop for a more favoured chore with someone else. I have to do what my parents ask me to do, no complains. (Also, I take Home-ec in school, so I can cook for myself. I can sew also, not something you can see in most youngsters these days. ;)) I would probably not have a car, because cars are so expensive, but if I have, I definitely would not ask my mom to fill the gas up for me. And when I need something, I'm expected to save up. (And even though I don't work, I volunteer at church. It's a very people-oriented volunteer work, so I guess the experience will serve me well next time.)

And when I get bad results, my parents (esp mom) will let me have it. And don't think I get off scott-free when it comes to the compare and contrast thing parents LOVE to pull off. I get compared to my cousins, my friends, my parents' friends' kids, my cousins' friends e.t.c, e.t.c.

I realize I sound slightly defensive. :lol: Sorry if I am too extreme.

1. Are you an only child?
No :) I have a brother and a sister who are twins, they're thirteen, which makes them three years younger than myself.

2. Do you like being an only child?
Well, I was one for the first three years of my life, and to be honest, I can't really remember those ;) I'm glad I have my siblings, though. Even though now they have reached puberty they seldomly find me worthy of them talking to me ( ;) ), they were my best friends growing up and after all, they're still the people I love the most. I can't laugh with anyone the way I do with them and nobody gets me cracking up as much. I can just be childish around them and it's always fun to hang out. Now not so much as it used to be, as I said, they're in a weird stage of growing up at the moment, but still.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
I'll just flip that question around; No, i haven't thought about what life would be like without them. I wouldn't want to miss them.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
No, not really. Usually depends on the parents, the environment they were raised in, and many other aspects.


Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
I would want one or two children. I don't think I'd be a perfect mum, unfortunately, and I don't think I could handle having three. Two would be perfect. But I'm only sixteen, so I guess my opinion about that will change.

I assure you this is not the case for all only children. Your acquaintance is probably an extreme case.

No, I wasn't speaking of parents of only children specifically, though several of the only children i know fit into that. I was talking specifically about parents who spoil their children, and how i think they must think they are doing them a huge favor.

1. Are you an only child?
yeppers

2. Do you like being an only child?
I used to absolutely hate it because I once had a best friend that was practically my sister. Her grandma lived next door and we would play all the time, and she didn't live far away and we did literally everything together, except school, since she was a year older. When I moved, I started getting super lonely and really wished i had a sibling that i wouldn't have to leave if i moved and because i was extremely bored all the time. Now that i'm a bit older, i'm just used to being alone all the time so it doesn't bother me as much, and I got a dog :D.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
All. The. Time.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
I dont think its the kids at all. It's the parents. Ok, I admit, I'm a bit spoiled (but taht's more because my mom wants me to not marry for money or date for cool stuff) and I have a lot of stuff other kids don't have, but I don't think i'm much more spoiled, selfish or bratty than other kids. I might be saying that because i'm bratty though :lol:, so i'm not sure. It can go both ways really. Either the parents can be super nice to their kid because its their only child, or they can be super tough on their kid because they need that one kid to be perfect when they grow up. (thats what happened to my friend)

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
I used to think that i wanted two kids....now i'm not so sure, because i just had to cook and clean and do housework for the last week and i'm not so sure i like that much :lol:

1. Are you an only child? I was for 20 years.

2. Do you like being an only child? I was often very lonely...but I didn't really envy my friends with siblings when I was younger.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings? Now I have a sister who is 20 years younger, but it's not the same at all as having siblings around my own age. I'm 32 and she is 12.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)? Well, I think there is some truth to that. But on the positive side, I think sometimes only children are great observers of the world and very cerebral.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one? I have 3 kids, all age 4 and under. I really wanted them to have siblings around their own ages.... :cool:

1. Are you an only child?
No! And I'm so happy I'm not. I love my four brothers!

2. Do you like being an only child?
I don't think I would like it at all.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
It would be very boring without.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
I think they are who they are.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
Huge please.

Being an only child would probably be well:

You can't be blamed for everything that goes wrong( "You're an older brother/sister. You need to do the right thing.)

And you can't be limited in terms of actions. ("You're a younger brother/sister. When you reach you older brother/sister's age, you'll be allowed ro do thay.)

:grumble:

Being an only child would probably be well:

You can't be blamed for everything that goes wrong( "You're an older brother/sister. You need to do the right thing.)

And you can't be limited in terms of actions. ("You're a younger brother/sister. When you reach you older brother/sister's age, you'll be allowed ro do thay.)

:grumble:

Well...it depends. Sometimes, I liken my parents to the kind of thing sharp-shooters use to hit their enemies. They say only child gets all the attention. Sure we do. But in everything in life, there is good...and there is bad.

Try to step one single toe out of line. ZOOM! It's all focussed on you. "Why haven't you made your bed? Why is your wadrobe so messy? Aren't you going to clear you books? How many times do I have to repeat myself? (100 million times, mom, 100 million) YOU FAILED YOUR MATH AGAIN?"

And there's no one else to pin the blame on :(

Try to step one single toe out of line. ZOOM! It's all focussed on you. "Why haven't you made your bed? Why is your wadrobe so messy? Aren't you going to clear you books? How many times do I have to repeat myself? (100 million times, mom, 100 million) YOU FAILED YOUR MATH AGAIN?"

And there's no one else to pin the blame on :(

:agree: I saw this when I was a kid and it's now true for my son as well. But he can always try to blame the cats if he spills something or if things get knocked over. :lol:

:agree: I saw this when I was a kid and it's now true for my son as well. But he can always try to blame the cats if he spills something or if things get knocked over. :lol:

my mom is now making me pay her 5 dollars if i keep forgetting to close the bathroom door......(but i'm stealing them back later :D)

Jacq, I don't quite follow you. Do you leave the bathroom door open when you're in the bathroom, or outside?

My mom's on my case whenever I leave the switch for the heater on.

Jacq, I don't quite follow you. Do you leave the bathroom door open when you're in the bathroom, or outside?

My mom's on my case whenever I leave the switch for the heater on.

when i leave it, and then my dog comes in and tries to steal things

Okay, I'm going to throw my opinion in here, even though I'm not an only child

1. Are you an only child?
Nope. 5 younger brothers and sisters.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

I don't believe in the stereotype - but I can see why people believe it. But people with brothers and sisters can be spoiled too.

My little brother, 9, and little sister, 10, who are my step mom and dad's kids are ridiculously spoiled. When I was younger, I was expected to be grateful for everything I had. And before my stepmom's kids were born, I had 3 other siblings. We were expected to share and e hapy with what we had.

However, my stepmom believes in giving my little brother and sister everything they want - which resulted in them being incredibly selfish and mean to other kids. They know nothing about discipline and being behaved - I set them as the example for exactly what my kids are not going to be.

So it's all about parenting. Kids can be selfish on either side of the spectrum.

1. Are you an only child?

Not really. :p I have one little sister actually. :)

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

Even though I have many examples of my real life to prove that, I couldn't say the same about all the only childern in the world. Most of whom I know are kinda like that, but I know 2 or three that are totally different.

[When I first asked my BFF(about 4 years ago :lol:) if she had brothers or sisters, she answered me: "No, fortunately, and I don't want to". But after years of knowing her, she have admitted in front of me that she would do anything to have a sibling.But I guess that depends on the person's character of course. :)]

1. Are you an only child?
No. I have one older brother and I'm really happy to have him since we're really close and he is so important in my life :)

2. Do you like being an only child?
I don't think I would like it. I don't know many only child and my closest experience with one is with my mom (that is an only child because my grandmother didn't have more children since her pregnancy was really a risky one). She (my mom) really wished she had siblings but at the same time she kind of liked being the center of the attention :lol:

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
I have one as I said and I'm not sure if I wanted more, probably, but I'm very happy with one and we had a great childhood together.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
As I said I don;t know many, but my close experience with my mom shows me that being raised as a only child made her a bit selfish and spoiled. Id din;t helped the fact that my father also spoiled her :lol:. She is a great mom, but there are traces of this stereotypes on her, no doubt.

Ooh, I want to play!

1. Are you an only child?

I am.

2. Do you like being an only child?

Well, there's never really been anything to compare to, but yes, I suppose. In a sense, we never had much money when I grew up, so I wouldn't have been as well of materially speaking if I hadn't been alone.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

I'm definitely curious about what the relationship between siblings is like. Like a friend, only stronger? I've asked a friend to describe it, but he told me it was a bit like trying to explain the taste of milk.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

Um, to a degree, I guess. I'm married to an only child, and sometimes it shows on both of us! :lol: The main issue, with us, at least, is that we simply need to take other people into account. It's not that we don't want to; it's that we're not used to it. I, for one, was spoiled with things, and that special "I'm the center of the universe" thing that some kids can get when the parents dote on you and you alone, but the real world tends to knock that out of you as soon as you encounter it. :lol:

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

Funnily enough, I'm quite happy with one spouse, three adopted cats and one adopted horse... :whistle:

1. Are you an only child?

Well, I would say I am. I do have a sister, but she is much older than me and we were never living together. We also have almost no contact at all, so yes I am an only child.

2. Do you like being an only child?

I like having my room and everything I have for myself. I also like spending as much time in the bathroom as I want, etc. There is nobody who is annoying me and when I want to be left alone that's no problem. But I sometimes feel extremely lonely. I live alone with my mother and that can be really boring. When I want to talk to someone I have to call my friends, and there aren't many of them. I always wanted to have pets because I wouldn't be that lonely then, but my mother only allows me to have budgies. I have budgies now, and they help a little. At least there is "life" in my room and it is better than nothing, but it is still lonely.
she kind of liked being the center of the attention
Well, I don't like being the center of attention. But even if I did - there is nobody to "give" (?) me attention except of my mother.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

I always thought of what life would be with pets. I don't know why, but I thought of pets more often than I thought of siblings. I think with siblings my life would be less lonely, though. When you have siblings who you get along with, and if you can talk and laugh with them, and do funny things etc. that must be very nice. I understand that people who have that, don't want to miss it.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

I guess it's maybe more likely for an only child to become selfish, because instead of someone with siblings, you don't have to share or make compromises. I don't think all only children are spoiled, bratty and selfish though. I am not bratty at all. I also know people who have siblings but are extremely selfish and arrogant. I think it just depends on one's personality.
Lastly, apparently I haven't learned to share either, nor has my friend who's an only child too. May I say that I went to pre-school and learned sharing there. Shoot, I lent my friend's little sister my copy of The Bad Beginning for an entire year and never bothered her about giving it back.
I gave my gameboy advance sp and two games to a friends' siblings. I also gave another game to another friends' little brother because he liked it (back then, those games weren't cheap). Only children can be at least as generous and willing to share as people who have siblings if they want to. If I don't have a little brother or sisters myself, why not give it to other children ? Like I said, it all depends on one's personality.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

A little one. I get stressed when there are too many people around.

1. Are you an only child?
Yes.
2. Do you like being an only child?
Sometimes. Sometimes it is lonely. Sometimes I am glad I get everything to myself.
3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Yes. I often wish I had an older, troublesome brother, who would take all my parents' anger. It's pretty awful being the center of attention when you've done something wrong.
4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
Urgh, no. How insulting. I'm selfish by nature, not because I'm an only child. And I'm not spoiled or bratty. My parents love me, but they aren't idiots. They don't spoil me.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
Huge one! :D :lol: :clap: I want five children and a husband who has some sort of high-paying job so I can relax and not stress too much. :) I want two sons and three daughters... none of them will ever be lonely like I am.

1. Are you an only child?
Yes.

2. Do you like being an only child?
I think it's about 50/50.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
A lot of the time.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
Agree? No. Is it true for me? Yes.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
I want a medium family. My fiance has a big family, he's the second oldest of 6 so we both want something in the middle. We decided on an even amount of kids so no one is left out, we hope to have 2.

1. Are you an only child?
sort of i mean i do have siblings but they grew up before i was born so i am basicly yes i am

2. Do you like being an only child?
somtimes but it gets lonely at times when you have no one to hang with

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
yes! AWSOME!

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
no not really it was my eldest sister that got spoiled she it thirty three and she ALWAYS gives her kids what they want because she was spioled and now shes spioling them but shes not mean, bratty nor selfish she is the BEST!

1. Are you an only child?
Yes.

2. Do you like being an only child?
It's okay. But would love to have a sibling.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Yes.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
Not really. Like for any person I think it's all about how one was raised. When I was younger and even now, I always valued the small simple things in life and was and am easy to please. I never really asked for anything and always gave to others.

I'm not an only child, but I will do what some others have done and answer these anyways :)

1. Are you an only child? Nope, I have a younger brother (2 years younger)

2. Do you like being an only child? I don't think I would like it if I was an only child. My brother has always been there as a playmate and I now pretty much consider him to be my best friend. We go to different colleges and we are both home this weekend, and it has been great just hanging out with him again. We can act like kids together, even though we are both technically adults.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings? I'll change this to "Have I ever thought of what it would be like to not have any siblings?" - I'm sure I have at some point. I feel like if I was an only child, I would be even more reliant on my parents (for money, cooking, etc.) than I already am. I'd be less independent, I guess. Maybe. I dunno. My parents still do a lot for me and my brother, but it's because they want to, not because we "force" them to or whatever.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?Depends on the person. I babysat an only child for a while. I'd say he was spoiled in the fact that he had a lot of new and nice electronics and games and stuff, but he wasn't overly whiney or needy or anything.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one? I think I will want only 2 kids. Maybe 3 at the most, but I'd prefer 2 because then the siblings can have a special relationship with just each other, though this could happen with people with more than one sibling as well, obviously. But I still have a while to think about all of that :)

1. Are you an only child?
Yes, though technically my parents had another child, he just didn't survive

2. Do you like being an only child?
I guess I am now that I have aged, but as a child I was always convinced I had a brther somewhere (imagine my surprise when i did discover my parents had another child that died), and remember being quite jealous that my cousin had brothers ad sisters.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
All the time as a child, but not so much at all as an adult.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
No. It is all in how one is raised. I was never showered with gifts except at christmas (not even for my birthday), never got money just because I sked for it, didn't get to spend the night at my friends house regularly, etc.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
I would have 2-3 kids, so a medium sized family.

1. I was an only child for thirteen years. It was at that time that my little brother was born. (This was a little more than a year ago.)

2. Sure, I enjoyed it. But I don't think I truly understood what comradeship and love meant until I gained a sibling. Of course I felt love before then, but the bond between siblings is so strong that anyone who hasn't experienced it probably never will.

3. Before he was born, I thought that having a sibling meant sharing everything. Having been an only child for so long, that idea wasn't very appealing to me. But having lived with him and playing a significant role in his upbringing (my dad has been deployed for the majority of his life, so I help my mother with taking care of him), my ideas on that have thoroughly changed. I know now that having siblings means that you almost always have someone that loves you, and you know that those bonds go so deep that they can never be broken.

4. I don't necessarily agree with the stereotypes on only children, though I feel that I have to stress that it's usually on a case-by-case basis. If a child is spoiled and bratty, it usually has nothing to do with them being an only child - it's usually the parents who are to be blamed.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
Even when I was an only child, I never wanted a big family. Even now that I have a sibling, I still don't. Again, having to help raise an infant in my adolescent years gave me a huge insight on what it's truly like to go through the childbearing process. Many people (including myself) have agreed that seeing my brother being born was probably the best birth control I could ever receive. Still having those mental images of the hospital and all of the other "gruesome" aspects of childbirth engraved in my mind, I know that I do not want children, or at least, not for a long time to come.

1. Are you an only child?
I do have a half-brother, but he's 11 years older than me and has never lived in the same house as I do, yet I see him as a brother.
2. Do you like being an only child?
Back when I was younger it used to bother me, I wanted a little sister! Yet I enjoy my live like this now, it's nice and quiet.
3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Used to back when I was younger, but I don't care much anymore.
4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
Certainly goes for some only children, yet it goes for some people with siblings too.
For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one? A little one, I enjoy my rest.

I think it's interesting that all the only-children in the thread so far have posted that they want small families. :lol: Maybe you have to be in a big family to want to have a big family of your own? I love big families. My aunts and uncles all have 5-9 kids each (my family is the smallest, my parents only had 3 kids), and we're all really close. I love how loud and crazy our family is, and i love the chaos with everyone everywhere. There are fights. Tons of them. Huge ones. Sometimes I think the bigger your family is, the bigger the fights get. But there's also a whole lot of love and a ton of fun, and it's completely worth it.

I think family size preference depends on ones experiences. My husband is an only child, and he got very uptight about the prospect of additional children. My son, being an only child whose friends all came from large families, always wanted siblings, and has informed his girlfriend that he wants a large family.

1. Are you an only child?
Yes, I am.

2. Do you like being an only child?
It was actually kind of lonely growing up, but at least I got all the Christmas presents.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
I always thought it would be fun to have a little sister. Actually my best friend and I consider ourselves to be sisters. We've been best friends since we were 12 and we're very close. On my Facebook, it shows her as my sister and when I get married she'll be on the wedding program as Maid Of Honor/Sister of the bride.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
To a degree, because I am a bit selfish. As an only child I never had to share anything with anyone and I've gotten used to that. I don't know what it's going to be like when I get married because the thought of sharing a bedroom with someone completely unnerves me.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
I want to have a big family. Ideally, I would like to have either 2 or 4 children.

2. Do you like being an only child?
It was actually kind of lonely growing up, but at least I got all the Christmas presents.

Funny. For me, I wanted someone to share the experience with. I was never big on gifts, but I always wanted someone to play with at Christmas, but I guess for me, cousins made up for that. They were like siblings in a way, just didn't live together.

1. Are you an only child?
Yep, I have half siblings on my dad side but I never really got to meet them.

2. Do you like being an only child?
Um, I use too, but all of my friends have an older brother. Watching how they interacting made me a bit jealous because I didn't really have anyone to share experience with. I was always with an adult an not someone I could probably connect with. Partly, I'm slightly grateful because I don't think I would have this relationship that I have with my mom if I did have siblings.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Yes, I believe that I wouldn't of been so shy. I'm not as shy as I use to be, but if I had a sibling I think I would be able to open up and speak up more often with other people.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
I would say the spoiled, selfish part was true when I was little. The older I've gotten the more appreciated I am. That also has something to do with the environment you live in....I don't really agree with the stereotype....anyone can be spoiled, bratty, and selfish.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
Ah, I definitely want two kids so they at least have each other. Although I wouldn't mind it with whoever I marry having a big family.

1. Are you an only child?
Yes, I am!

2. Do you like being an only child?
I do. I prefer it when things are quiet and I like to be by myself. I think it would be stressfull and sort of annoying to be surronded by many other children (especially if they were younger than me). I've never been lonely, because I like the company of only myself.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Yes, and I think it would drive me crazy, haha. It might have been better when we were older and lived by ourselves though.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
No, I don't. I'm not spoiled or bratty at all. I think every child has the possibility to develop these qualities, but it depends a lot on their parents. The only "Only child" stereotype I am, is that I sometimes let others run over me, because I'm not used to fighting to get through with opinions and stuff, which they are because they have had to fight their siblings to get their way.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
I do! I want at least 4 or 5 kids, but this is because I love children. It's something I do for myself, not because I think my children "need" to have siblings.

1. Are you an only child? I have a half sister, but she's twelve years older that me, so when I was four, she out of the house. So I consider myself an only child, because for most of my life, I was.

2. Do you like being an only child?
Yes, and no. I never have to compete for attention, and I've been told I'm very adult around grown-ups (I'm 16) and my dad's always told me that's because I never had anyone my age to joke around with when my parents had dinner parties or what no, so I learned early on what was socially acceptable.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Not really, sometimes I wish I had a twin, or a brother or sister, but I've never wanted one. I can imagine, just didn't want it.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
I don't. My parents have never spoiled me - I get an allowance, but only because until recently, I couldn't get a job, and I never have time to go to a job since my schedule always changes due to marching band. I do not think I am a brat either, and I've always tried to be very kind and friendly and nice to my friends.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
A middle sized one, with maybe three children. Nothing huge, like the Weasley's - I might go insane having to take care of tha tmany children, but I think I'd like more than one.

1. Are you an only child?
Kind of. I have two older (12 and 10 years older to be exact) half siblings that I share a dad with, but I since I have been brought up with only my mum and also that I meet them only occasionally, it feels as if I'm an only child.

2. Do you like being an only child?
I like the way it is. I feel like I'm an only child (and I am to my mother), but I have siblings. Just don't see them a lot.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Some days I would have loved having my brother and sister lliving with me when I was growing up, but it was best like it was.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
No!!!

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
I would like 2 or 3 children myself.

1. Are you an only child?

Yes indeed.

2. Do you like being an only child?

I do actually. I'm independant and I like my own company and privacy especially when I'm at home. When I do get lonely, I go out with my friends or visit one of them.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

Sometimes, although to be honest I already know what it's like to have siblings. I'm very close with my cousin, (who has siblings, but has never lived and grown up with them), my godsister (who is also an only child) and my friend who I've grown up with. They're all like my siblings, we've shared things, we've fought over things and we've been there for each other.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

Not at all. I'm speaking from personal experience, I was never spoiled, my godsister was never spoiled and she's turned out to be the sweetest person on the earth. I know plenty of children with siblings who are spoiled, bratty and selfish. It's all to do with your upbringing in my opinion. You know, every time I mention I'm an only child to a stranger, they automatically assume I'm spoiled and always ask stuff like "Oh I bet you get spoiled then?" or say "You must give your parents a run for their money." - they say it genuinely. It's quite annoying. If that isn't stereotypical, I don't know what is.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

I don't know. I've never really thought about it. Besides I'm not ready for a family of my own yet.

1. Are you an only child?

Yes.

2. Do you like being an only child?

Sometimes I do. I'm a very private person, so of course I love not having to share a room, not having a little brother or sister poking around in my stuff, etc., but I've always wished I had a few siblings. I get very lonely, and sometimes it can be hard watching other people who are close to their siblings and knowing they have something you never will. Siblings are always there, and as an only child it can feel like there isn't anyone in your life around your age who is a guarantee.

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?

Of course. As a kid I always wanted an older brother who would look after me and teach me to do things. I also wanted a twin brother who would be my buddy and my partner-in-crime. As I've gotten older, I've also thought that I'd really enjoy having younger brothers as well. Even though I'm a girl, I've always thought I'd have a harder time with a sister than a brother, but I think I could enjoy having a sister if she were several years removed from me in age.

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?

Not necessarily. While I agree that it can be true, I don't think that only children are always more inclined to be that way than "normal" kids are. I was never particularly selfish or bratty, but I suppose I was a bit spoiled. My parents didn't give me everything I wanted or anything like that, but by nature of not having to worry about other kids in the family, it was a lot easier to get a ride somewhere right away, or do just about whatever I liked, with so few other schedules to work around.

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?

Probably a middle-sized family, maybe 3-6 kids. I wouldn't want a small family, but I wouldn't say huge.

1. Are you an only child?
Yes I am :) although i grew up with 2 of my cousins since we lived in one house but eversince I was 17 me and my mum moved so yeah.

2. Do you like being an only child?
mmmm sometimes i do sometimes i dont it gets really lonely ... but now im married and I have kids so not so lonely anymore :)

3. Have you ever thought of what your life would be with siblings?
Ive always regarded my cousins as my siblings so yeah ... hahahahah so i didnt really have to think of it ...

4. Agree with the stereotypes of only children (spoiled, bratty, selfish)?
Nope .. my mum never spoiled me taught me how to work for what i want .. so yeah ....

For only children: Would you want to have a huge family or a little one?
Medium sized maybe 3 kids ..I already have 2 girls ..theyre twins :) (husband wouldnt let me name them hermione and ginny :( hahahahah)

1- are you an only child?
Yes

2- do you like being an only child?

Yes, I most definitely do. It taught me great independence, self reliance and to be ok with being with myself.

3- have you thought about what life would be like with siblings?
Not seriously, no. I always wanted a big brother to look out for me or sister to help me with beauty/health question as a young girl, but as I matured I really became self reliant and enjoyed my alone time.

4- do you agree with stero types of selfish children?
No, no at all. In fact...I have heard that it's an attitude amongst doctors that is changing. Parents of only children have more time to raise their children, helping to make them a more rounded person. I think only kids and stereo types get the short end of the stick.

Would you want a large or small family?
I'm an only child, married to an only child, we have an only child. For my life, it's perfect.