What's your family situation like at home? Did you grow up as an only child or did you grow up next to several brothers and sisters? Because when it comes to shaping who we are, you'd be surprised to learn just how impactful your family dynamic can be. But if you grew up as an only child, this article's for you - let's dive in to discuss 10 perks of being an only child and 10 things you missed out on.
1. Full Access to Resources
When you're an only child, everything belongs to you! Those books, toys, and snacks your parents just bought? If you don't eat read them, play with them, or eat them, who will? One major perk that many who grew up as an only child loved is having complete freedom and power over all the resources at home.
2. Undivided Attention
When you're an only child, that spotlight is shining on you 24/7. Your parents have no choice but to shower you with their undivided attention! Whether it's showing up to your school play, big soccer match, or choir performance, it's nice knowing you don't have any other kid's schedule clashing with yours.
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3. Closer Parental Bonds
Being the only child usually results in having a deeper, closer relationship with your parents. As the three peas in a pod, you're the star of all their attention. This just means as you get older, you'll likely get to experience more meaningful conversations and connections compared to other families where parents have to divide their focus.
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4. Peaceful Home Environment
Funnily enough, having only one child in the house can often lead to a more peaceful home environment. After all, it just means there are no siblings fighting with one another all the time! Whatever you want to do, whether it's studying, sleeping, or playing, you'll have no interruptions. You get to do whatever you want, when you want, and how you want it.
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5. Flexibility in Family Plans
When you've got no siblings to compete with on preferences, your family outings, vacations, and weekend plans just got a whole lot easier. Everything is going to be catered to you - what you like doing and your schedule. Your parents will likely try to plan trips that are made for your enjoyment because after all, you are their sole focus.
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6. The Art of Being Alone
Sometimes, all we want is some peace and quiet. And when you're an only child, that's something you can always have without having to first fight others on. While some might see being alone as a downside, there are plenty of perks too! Can you imagine never having to share the last slice of pizza? Or getting to choose what you want to put on the TV without complaint?
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7. Creative Solitude
Growing up alone means having to learn how to keep yourself entertained. Because with no one to play with, the best playdate is, well, yourself! That's why being an only child usually leads to a more creative mindset and an appreciation for artistic or literary interests. When you grow up creating innovative ways to play alone, it's bound to expand your mindset.
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8. Maturity from Adult Interactions
It's pretty common for only children to grow up more mature than the rest of their peers. Without older siblings to help babysit, they usually get brought along to their parent's outings. This leads to more frequent interactions with other adults, creating experiences where only children get to learn from them and adopt effective communication and social skills.
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9. Tailored Opportunities
Because your parents are putting all their focus on you, you likely get to experience the benefit of having all their time, energy, and finances being put into creating the best learning opportunities for you. Whether it's taking on a sports class, music lessons, tutoring, or even vacations, everything is going to be focused on helping you grow up to be the best person you can be.
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10. The Undisputed Favorite
And hey, as the only child, you're always going to be the favourite by default; there's no competition at all! No awkward questions from relatives asking who the favourite child is sounds pretty good to us. And anytime anyone asks who "Mom or Dad's favourite is," You get to confidently say it's you every single time.
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1. Sibling Companionship
While of course we've highlighted the perks of being alone and having everything to yourself, there's one thing about having siblings that you can't replicate: the companionship. Getting to share your experiences, secrets, and adventures with brothers and sisters as you grow up is truly an invaluable experience that really shapes who you become.
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2. Sharing Responsibilities
Here's a downside to being an only child - if all the snacks, toys, and games belong to you, so do all the chores! When it comes down to helping your parents around the house, all those responsibilities and duties fall on you. So you better step up to the plate! In comparison, having siblings just means you get to share those tasks, helping to ease your load.
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3. Learning from Sibling Rivalry
While fighting with siblings can be seen as an annoying aspect of having brothers or sisters, it's actually very rewarding. It teaches you important skills regarding negotiation, compromise, resilience, and forgiveness. While only children have to find other ways to gain these qualities, brothers and sisters get these learning opportunities on a daily basis.
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4. A Larger Family Dynamic
Some people don't want the quiet solititude, some people want that chaotic and lively family dynamic that only large families can bring. Sitting down at the dinner table with a big family is definitely something to be grateful for; as you look around the table, you get to see all the different sources of joy that are being brought to your everyday life.
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5. Support During Family Challenges
Life is filled with plenty of challenges and when you're going through a difficult time, having siblings can really come in clutch. Having that reliable shoulder to lean on can mean a whole lot! Siblings can offer you just the emotional support you need to get through those dark patches in a time when no one else might. In comparison, only children might feel this absence when they first have to face their hardships.
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6. Experiencing Different Perspectives
Having just one perspective regarding things can be more limiting than rewarding. Life is all about seeing things from different angles and trying to broaden your perspective. And one easy way to do that is by having siblings around. Siblings often have different viewpoints and they're definitely not afraid to fight you on it. Meaning only children miss out on these (sometimes very heated) exchanges of ideas.
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7. Secret Language Lacking
If you're lucky enough to have a great relationship with your brother or sister, one fun aspect of that relationship is developing a secret language only the two of you can understand. You get to create your own little club that no one else can enter! It's a fun little game that can bring back a lot of loving memories as you get older.
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8. Having a Confidante
Sharing the same family experiences as you, sometimes having siblings is nice because they get to act as your confidante. Getting to voice your deepest, most secret thoughts and feelings with someone else who can understand you is more important than you might realize. It's something only children seriously miss out on.
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9. Partner-in-Crime Shortage
Kids loving playing around, and as you're growing up, playing pranks and going on adventures is an important aspect of any childhood. When you're an only child, you have to go about it on your own. But if you've got brothers and sisters, you get to have a partner-in-crime that just make those experiences so much better. Just think of all the bigger schemes you get to pull off too!
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10. Witnessing Sibling Success
Here's one positive side of having siblings you might've never thought about: you get to celebrate their success with them. There's an unexplainable pride and joy people feel when they get to see their brothers and sisters succeed. It feels like you were part of the journey and got to watch them accomplish their goals! This love and togetherness is something only children don't get to experience in this particular way.
