So let me ask you this question: What, and how much can you tell about someone just by knowing that he / she is an only child?
I bet many of you would say that only children are tend to be entitled, self centered, bossy, and they believe they can have everything just because they want it. Maybe that's true, maybe not.
I'm an only children, by the way. And I'd like to share 10 things that you should know about us.
1. WE ARE NOT POORLY BEHAVED.
When I was young, I often heard saying that only children are arrogant and their behavior tend to be just horrible. That makes sense because being sibling free means you are always #1 to your parents, which means little bit more extra attention as well as money for you.
But when It comes about poor behavior, being only child doesn't make us any good or bad than others.
2. WE ARE NOT SPOILED BRATS.
So this is the thing I want everyone know about us.
Maybe I did receive a few more Christmas presents than I would have if I had siblings. But that doesn't makes us materialistic, and spoiled brats as you may think... Instead, we glad our parents raised up to be grateful, gracious, and NOT A BRAT.
3. WE PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON OURSELVES.
I, personally internalized a lot of pressure and am still very self-motivated to live up to high standards. I think only children can push themselves very hard and they can be pretty critical when they don't do as well as they like.
And the good thing is: The pressure pays off.
4. WE LIKE TO DO THINGS OUR OWN WAY
YES, and the most definitely we know how to share food, home, and everything. But I ain't gonna lie, I don't like when someone shows up and tell me how to do something.
I didn't grow up with siblings shows up in my room and messing my stuff, so I'm not used to someone rearrange my personal belongings. I acknowledge that it could seem slightly bossy, but when it comes to projects at school, it can be a great thing cuz I can lead a team! I often did more than my fair share bcuz I could see things thru.
5. WE TEND TO BE CONFLICT-AVERSE
Which means we don't like conflict and it makes total sense. Not that anyone really likes to fight ( or someone?), but arguments among friends make me super uncomfortable. Maybe because I never had to deal with DAILY SCREAMING matches among siblings.
6. WE ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE.
Okay it seems a bit embarrassing. But we tend to be very, very sensitive about our feelings. I never had siblings to tease me, so I can overreact when I recognize people as critical or angry in personal relationships.
But on the bright side, it makes me more considerate toward others' feelings, and I always try to think about how my actions may make others feel.
7. WE TEND TO GET SHY EASILY
I love chatting with people one on one, and sometimes, after one or two beers, I become one of the most outgoing people at a party. But as an only child, I can get super quiet in a huge group, especially if I don't know the people very well. I prefer hanging out in groups of three or four (maybe six). More people can cause me to hang back.
8. WE WORRY ABOUT OUR PARENTS GETTING OLDER.
Sorry to get morbid, but it's scary to face being the only person responsible for your parents as they get older. For instance: you are the sole person who have to organize their lunar-new-year. Even tho I don't have to deal with it yet, but I already lose sleep thinking about it haha. Siblings can share their emotional, as well as financial weight of such things. As an only child, it all comes down to me.
9. WE HAVE A UNIQUE FAMILY DYNAMIC
The friends of mine always wondered about how much attention I still get from my parents. YES, it can be intense. For me, I am twenty something but still cannot go outside after 9 P.M. But I wouldn't trade my super-close relationship with my parents for anything. They have taught me so much about life and even myself.
It can be tough when disagreement arise, and there's no one else in the room to take the blame, but the bottom line? I wouldn't want it any other way.
10. WE GET ALONG WELL WITH ADULTS
While other kids were watching TV with their siblings, I was sitting at the table talking with my grandma. As a result of socializing with older people from a young age, I grew up being very comfortable around adults, which has helped me out a lot in school, and hopefully in the working world.