1. We're spoiled.
This is the most common stereotype of only children and I am here to tell you it's accurate. However, before you go blaming it on us, think logically about our family situation. There is only one child in the family, therefore there is a greater amount of money dedicated to us than there would be if there were multiple kids. Having a single child allows for us to go on vacations more frequently, have our laundry being done for us, and our meals cooked for us instead of us making them.
2. We're materialistic.
Although similar, materialism is not the same as being spoiled. As I said before, since we are a single child the parents have more money to provide their child with that cool new iPhone, concert tickets, or that car for their 16th birthday, and as a result of being provided with these things, we grow a liking for THINGS!
3. We don't share.
Yes, only children have experienced interaction with other kids at daycare and school where we are forced to share, but once we step outside the walls of school we will not voluntarily share if our lives depend on it. Asking to borrow our clothes, electronics, or even little things like phone chargers, can be a moment of tension waiting to happen. You've reached a milestone in your friendship with us if we willingly share anything with you, which leads me to my next point.
Yes, only children have experienced interaction with other kids at daycare and school where we are forced to share, but once we step outside the walls of school we will not voluntarily share if our lives depend on it. Asking to borrow our clothes, electronics, or even little things like phone chargers, can be a moment of tension waiting to happen. You've reached a milestone in your friendship with us if we willingly share anything with you, which leads me to my next point.
4. We're territorial.
Once you befriend an only child, you are our friend, no one else's. We become insanely jealous at the knowledge of you having or being with any other friends. If you're dating an only child or simply just our friend, chances are we'll question you about any and every person you're around or speak to. We won't enjoy seeing your posts about you and other people, and don't even THINK about Instagraming a photo with anyone else, you will not get our like.
Once you befriend an only child, you are our friend, no one else's. We become insanely jealous at the knowledge of you having or being with any other friends. If you're dating an only child or simply just our friend, chances are we'll question you about any and every person you're around or speak to. We won't enjoy seeing your posts about you and other people, and don't even THINK about Instagraming a photo with anyone else, you will not get our like.
5. We get comfortable quickly.
Obviously, we don't have siblings, so we form bonds with our friends that resemble those of siblings. We confide in our friends our most important secrets and our deepest thoughts, regardless if they want to know them. We want to talk and hangout all the time since more often than not we're alone at home. We also tend to be very touchy (in a very not weird way), as we love hugs and attention since we got a lot from our parents as children.
6. We have a hard time with reversibility.
We recognize that people can do things wrong and make mistakes, but we don't always handle the reality that we can be wrong and make mistakes too. We often think we can do no wrong, because when growing up, only children often get over encouraged by their parents. We also have trouble taking constructive criticism because we take it as someone criticizing our character and who we are instead of merely criticizing one of our papers or a food we've cooked.
Obviously, we don't have siblings, so we form bonds with our friends that resemble those of siblings. We confide in our friends our most important secrets and our deepest thoughts, regardless if they want to know them. We want to talk and hangout all the time since more often than not we're alone at home. We also tend to be very touchy (in a very not weird way), as we love hugs and attention since we got a lot from our parents as children.
6. We have a hard time with reversibility.
We recognize that people can do things wrong and make mistakes, but we don't always handle the reality that we can be wrong and make mistakes too. We often think we can do no wrong, because when growing up, only children often get over encouraged by their parents. We also have trouble taking constructive criticism because we take it as someone criticizing our character and who we are instead of merely criticizing one of our papers or a food we've cooked.
7. We're unnaturally close with our parents.
As a result of having no siblings, we develop relationships with our parents that are more like friendships. We take funny pictures with them, we blast loud music with them, we cook horribly with them, we confide in them about the people in our lives and our day to day problems. If you come over to an only child's house, you have to surpass the parental interrogation about your own life before you can actually hangout with your friend that you came to spend time with. You'll undoubtedly gain another crazy family by befriending an only child.
Is it worth the risk?
Photo Citations:
http://problemkidsblog.com/2014/01/06/5-good-reasons-not-to-spoil-your-child/
http://pixgood.com/mom-cooking-healthy-with-kids.html
http://theantisocialmedia.com/greed-sharing-and-keeping-information/
http://www.teen.com/2014/07/22/random-stuff/what-you-feel-when-you-meet-your-bffs-new-best-friends/attachment/territorial-best-friend-tarzan/
http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/68263003.html
http://www.quazoo.com/q/Correction_paper
http://quotes.lol-rofl.com/sad-child-face/
I really like this post because you acknowledge the stereotypes of being an only child and don't necessarily deny them. I feel like a lot of people get really defensive when they list stereotypes, but you acknowledge that there is some truth to these ideas and explain why these characteristics don't have to be negative. It was a much more mature way to handle the argument and far more interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteHaving just returned from a visit to my in-laws, where my three kids played with their two cousins (both onlies), your post made me think about the different ways these kids interact. Sharing is tough for those onlies, while my kids are used to taking turns. On the other hand, my niece and nephew have some skills in interacting with adults that my kids don't have; those skills are going to serve them well in the future (as they may have served you!), as they seem more accustomed to interacting with adults.
ReplyDeleteAs a member of a large family, reading your post made me wonder if that makes me have the opposite qualities of an only-child. The exclusion from being your directed audience in turn made me introspective on how I compare to your claims. By offering specific views on only-child-hood, I find I am now more aware of the effects my siblings have on my personality and qualities
ReplyDelete