What's it Really Like Being an Only Child? 

I'm an only child. Who here is an only child too

I’m an only child and the only thing I related to in this whole video is being scared about the day my parents die and it’s just me, I’ll have no one to lean on or have someone who is going through the same pain. Everything else it so stereotypical, I never wished for siblings and was never lonely or loud?

I cry my self to sleep sometimes because of how Lonely I feel

the thing is, I’ve always been told by my friends, “oh you’re so lucky to be an only child. I hate my siblings”. that’s gotta be the saddest thing I’ve heard. How selfish you have to be to think that like I’ve got the perspective of being so absolutely lonely to the degree I cried myself to sleep for a good chuck of time because I just realized oh my god, I’m so lonely. I have no one to turn to. I literally have had to learn so many things on my own because of the fact I don’t have someone to relate to. I can’t reflect on someone, I can only grow from my parents who essentially shelter me. As the people said in the video, thinking of my parents death TERRIFIES me. I’m going to be the ONLY one who truly had a strong connection with these two individuals my entire life and will have to go through that alone in the future. It’s disheartening. I’ve grown alone, struggled with coping, and I’ll end up continuing on this my entire life because I just don’t have anyone. If you’re the lucky individual who has a sibling, for the love of god be grateful of them. Give them a hug, call them stupid. Cherish that relationship. Don’t let petty feelings get in the way of you seeing how much you actually love them. If I could, I’d definitely trade the world for a sibling. :(

Im an only child and growing up was great. Never wished I had siblings. People make it seem like being an only child some kind of disease or handicap.

I'm an only child. It has its perks but it kinda sucks tho

As an only child, you may get all the attention and good stuff but, you also get the full attention when your parents are angry meaning they take it out on you, there is no one to protect you or talk to, it’s unbelievable how lonely you become.

something that breaks me and makes me feel I've missed a part of life is that ill never understand that sibling dynamic of "I hate you!" playing tricks on each other and annoying each other. it's so beautiful and I've never been able to relate to that dynamic even when people try to be that way with me as friends, I just dont... know how to do it. in a way, you miss out on being a child as you're expected to act like an adult.

I wish people didn't say they wish they were an only child. I lost my brother when I was eight, and I can confirm it was way better having someone closer to my age to spend time with (well there is a ten year different but it's better than the age difference between my parents and I lol). Anyways, the point is to cherish your siblings and not dwell on wishing you were an only child !!!

I dont understand all these lonley only children, I am an only child and I absolutely loved it. I was never board or lonley, I got showered with attention and because I spent so much time around adults I feel like I was very emotionally mature at a young age. I also think it was beneficial because when I left home I didnt find it scary to be on my own as I was use to it. I do understand everyones experiences are different, but I felt it was important to point out the positives as being an only child often gets a bad rap.

Both me and my husband are only children and we have an only child. We all love it. Life is quiet, calm, no competition or conflict. You get all the love and attention from your parents and all their money!

I'm surprised at how many people find being an only child boring and lonely, for me I'm just used to my own company so it's easy to entertain myself and I rarely ever find myself feeling bored or lonely

What it’s really like to be an only child Written by a 12 year old who’s an only child... I’ve always wanted a sibling. My parents spoil me rotten but.... There’s 1 thing that they could never grant me. A sibling. If I talk to one of my friends about it I said if I could see my sibling and then die for them I would. I would give up everything I own and go homeless for this child. I’m a family oriented child and... I cry myself to sleep most nights. I’m crying while I’m writing this, it’s 1am. All I want in the world is a sibling. Everyone I know has a sibling, and nobody wants their sibling. They always say so many mean things and.... I wouldn’t do that.... I want this more than anything I’m not a normal 12 year old girl, I don’t like makeup, I don’t like anything like that I don’t want anything.... I just want a sibling....

I’m an only child and people always say they hate their siblings and wish they were only children. I would trade ANYTHING for a sibling

Only child here had an amazing childhood never wanted siblings, didn't like to share my parents either. But as I get older and especially after my Father passed i feel like having a sibling would help me deal with my emotions and situation.

I want someone that I know wont end up leaving. I hate being a only child- I feel so lonely.

Now I feel bad for saying I wish I had no siblings Only child’s suffer too

I have a sibling and we are close and support each other. However and sadly, this is not the norm with a lot of siblings. I have seen so many people with siblings not on talking terms with each other or going through ugly fights due to inheritance issues as well. There’s pros and cons to everything in life but ultimately we come alone to this world and leave alone regardless of siblings or not.

People: you're an only child!! You're So lucky Me: you'll never understand how lonely it gets

Honestly being an only child is the best 😅 You get so much more freedom and independence (and gifts!)

I never wished I had siblings... People make me feel sad..By saying so

It’s fun since you get most of the attention, your the only disappointment your family has to deal with, you get stuff like a game system or something amazing you don’t have to share, no one can annoy you, and many other things. Downsides because there are many that it must be a list: - lonely - no one to play with - no one to fight with - no one to talk to when you need it - over protection from your parents (or whoever takes care of you) - the constant attention sometimes gets annoying - your parents expect the most out of you, even when you try - parents blame you for not doing specific actions that you didn’t know had to be done - no one to blame when you get in trouble (the pets don’t work either) - you rely on friends for social interactions - having the constant wish for siblings every single time you want one and the pain that you might never get one - no one to do your homework - no one to defend you from the adults in the family - no one to share moments with Tell me if I missed any downsides to having no siblings 😂

I'm an only child and it feels lonely that I searched it on youtube and I'm glad that I watched this video I can totally relate

As a neurodivergent only child I definitely needed the support. The only bad thing is I’m spoiled rotten because my parents wanted a child so badly and I’m the only one they got lol

I'm an only child. I was wishing I had siblings from the time I was old enough to think. But I never got them. It was probably for the best, because then my NDad would've had more innocent children to abuse. I grew up scared, sad, codependent, anxious, socially inept, minimally functional, and completely, utterly, devastatingly alone. My advice to good parents is to have at least two children. For every only child who says they're more independent because of it, there'll be two people like me who were genetically hardwired to only respond to external cues and validation for happiness, and/or are an HSP like me (another lovely rare genetic mutation that makes you hypersensitive to everything). My advice to bad parents is to get sterilized.

I wanna know what's it is like having a sibling LOL I Edit: Wow... seems like the sibling life is very HARD If u got a siblings I give props to you for the annoying things that ur siblings has done

1. I learned to be independent at a young age. 2. I found out what I enjoyed early and continued it throughout life 3. Chores were always a part of my life. And my parents made sure I knew everything from cooking to cleaning to home repairs and installs,(like tile or carpet, how to fix a toilet or a sink) 4. You learn how to earn and save money. 5. Grades..... Never come home with a B..... You will be shot. 6. You learn to be a perfectionist and that you are your own worst critic... After your parents criticize you over everything. 7. Trust.... You never really learn to trust anyone other than yourself.

As an only child, I can totally relate to the third girl. My mom also passed away, and I have a lot of cousins.

I'm an only child, and this comment is for the people who say "oh I hate my siblings" or "oh I wish I was an only child..... Lemme tell u something, being an only child, is like living under a rock sometimes, don't get me wrong I love my parents and everything, but I've cried so many times because I would always get jealous seeing other people having fun with there siblings, it pains me so much, sometimes I wish I had somebody my age or close to my age to turn to and just and talk to them, so please if u have siblings Cherish them so much, because u are so lucky to have siblings, and I am very thankful for my life and family, u should be too, no matter what ur going through 😊

I am an only child and I just wanna say, it's awesome! From a kid I learned how to play and enjoy by myself.And now I live only with my mom, it's so quite at home but I love it.

Me: Mom I feel so lonely being an on- Mom: Why are you complaining about things that can't change???

I noticed that kids that were the only child were always different, always. They handled things really different in groups. I never had a friend that was an only child.

Being the only child is the best thing ever.

Im an only child and see many people say that its hard to be lonely... Don't you guys have friends? Not once have I felt lonely because I was an only child.

I'd rather have a sibling who is sometimes annoying and stressfully than being a single child 🙃

I’ve seen a trend where only children typically want more children so their children don’t have to go through the same things they did. PS. I’m an only child. I feel the same

things people have said to me as a only child. -Oh! You're so lucky. -Oh, Have my siblings! -Wish I was you. -pfft, You're just spoilt. -Take my siblings, I want your life. -Seriously, you're kidding! You have it easy! So, so so, wrong.

POV: your watching this cause you are an only child

When people would find out I was an only child, they would say "you must be spoiled". My mom's reply was "she's not spoiled, but I sure am." This was because I would clean house, do the laundry, and in the summer I mowed the lawn and other outdoor things. I also made dinner before she and Dad came home from the office and did the dishes after they left. Maybe that's why I got a little burnt out on housework after I was married. And finally, people would say I would get everything when my parents died. Yes, and I got 100% of the responsibility, too. Advice: as kids, don't open gifts in front of others because they'll comment how spoiled you are.

"yeah we get what we want" hahahahahaha. no. I never get what i want. :')

Having siblings guarantees nothing. I would be just fine as an only child.

I am an only child and I get kinda sad when I see people talking about their brothers and sisters, knowing I never would understand.

I hate being an only child. The loneliness is crippling

I had a ton of friends and was always outside doing things. I never felt lonely as an only child.

So happy being an only child. Never dreamt of siblings.

I am an only child, it has it's ups and its downs. I still wish I had an older sibling to guide me tho. Fucking hell . Actually , I don't like being an OC. Yeah you get materialistic possessions. But that can never replace a genuine human-human bond...

Its not that I want to be an only child but my brother is just really messy and annoying which makes me want to be an only child.

My head is my sibling sure I've wished for siblings but I always feel like I've had one I sometimes pretened I have a sibling in my head I'll just basically talk to myself. Sometimes I do tear up a little bit but I stop in like 5 minutes. You guys should respect and be happy you have siblings. I will always dream of something like that.

Going through the death of your parents is super hard. We don’t have siblings to share our grief with.

personally i love being an only child. i hate the idea of having siblings.

I have 3 siblings. I’m the oldest. And even though My siblings are annoying at times they are angles that stay by your side. I’m thankful I have them in my life. To be honest i never wanted to be a only child. I always wanted siblings. I can’t bare somebody saying they want to be a only child. You should be thankful you have siblings. Siblings are part of the family that make it whole. I’m not saying that if you don’t have siblings it’s wrong I’m just saying you having siblings and saying you don’t want them is not right. I appreciate every person in my life, and am thankful I have them with me. And I’m saying you should appreciate it to, having special people in your life is a blessing.

My life story Age 1: had a happy life,parents were together but i was little Age 2: found out what "only child" means and found out i was one Age 4: parents split up and i moved in to a tiny flat with my mother. After a while my father got a girlfriend called Rachel Age 6: Fathers girlfriend (rachel) moved out but my mother liked a guy called dan Age 7: my mother didn't want dan but found a guy called adi ( adrien ) Age 8: my mother and boyfriend ( adi ) got together and at that tine i was happy until 7 months later they split up and i cried because i actually understood Age 9: i know it sounds crazy but my mother and adi got back together. Even tho i was happy i cried every night because i missed my father (he is still alive) ( just to inform you my father hasn't got a girlfriend since rachel ) so i have loads more stuff to say but i dont want to share

it definitely fucking sucks cause i couldn’t imagine not having 2 brothers, i’m never letting my kids be alone

As an only child, I think it’s wrong to do that to your kid. Have another one, adopt another one- whatever it takes for that child not to grow up alone.

I'm an only child it wasnt lonely. I was taught to be on my own. It was me and mom. If i had siblings, i would've left home early. I like my peace.

I am an only child. I am alone, not lonely

I am an only child, I don’t remember I felt lonely when I was little because I have school friends, but I wished I have a sibling to share parents’ attention. Parents are needy when they only have one kid. there is definitely some worries about what if someday my parents aren’t there anymore, but since I am married and happy and have my daughter so I assume I ll be fine, still worry though. My daughter will be an only child since I can’t get pregnant anymore. my parents helped me with everything big happened in my life. They paid all my tuition, my wedding, bought my car, they took care of my daughter with me for the first half year so I can heal and rest after giving birth, they helped us on down payment for our house, they literally come stay with us whenever we need help. My parents did not spoil me when I was a child, but they are spoiling me so hard now, I guess because I am educated can’t be a “spoiled kid” anymore. I kind feel that my husband respect me so much in this marriage because I am the only child. The strong love I get from my parents make me appears more important to him, is that make sense? He definitely takes advantages from my parents’ support. His dad is way way way richer than mine but he doesn’t get what I get. I don’t think I want a sibling at this point, my life is definitely on easy mode since I am the only child. But if I ever have a choice, I would have 2 kids instead just 1. Now I am worrying how my daughter feel about being the only child.

Well, it depends on the parents. Most of them think the only child 100% spoiled by their parents but for me personally, i did not get spoiled.

0:30 „I always got a giant room“ I have 3 siblings and we all always had seperated rooms, being a child with siblings doesn’t mean you have no private space Imao.

my parents were so strict to me when i was a kid it actually shocked me how chill they can be now though going out without asking for their approval is still unacceptable. the first time i get to go out with my friend that was not when the school’s over was last year when i was 18. i dont have an imaginary friend either but i befriended the ants in my house, my relatives thought i was retarded for talking to ants. i get *almost* everything i want. i dont need siblings, i have cousins who are almost equally annoying as actual siblings, bonus cuz i’m the oldest cousin (heck yea) the lesson i’ve learnt from being an only child is that dont you ever, ask your parents why you’re an only child. ESPECIALLY if you sleep in their room as a kid. their answer will traumatize you for a lifetime.

I am a only child but I have been lonely and depressed and I hate the fact I was always alone

i'm the only child in my family, i used to like it when i was younger, to not having anyone that could wipe away my parents attention for me. but at the age of 17, i started to regret it. i wish i had sibling, but now it would be too late cuz the age gap would be really high. almost all of my cousin has siblings. and it's so wholesome to see how they treat one another, although most of the time the argue about little things. the absent of having sibling in my live shaping me into someone that doesnt like a child or someone that is hardly tolerate what a child does (although some ppl think when kids are messing around they say they're cute). At some points ofc i like kids, sometimes i feel they r innocent and adorable, and i wanna hug them so bad. But most of the times i'll be like awkward when im with children of my aunty for example when i have to take care of them for a few minutes. i feel like i cant make a good interaction with them, at least it;s different compared to my cousins who have siblings. Now im 19, and i feel weird and keep questioning why cant i make a good interaction with kids? and im wondering too if i ever wanted a child of my own in the future, though surely i want, but the images of me cannot taking care of them bcs im so awkaward with kids haunt me more than anything

People be acting like we are the most rare things in Earth like we are not that special (we are to our parents though lol)

That’s so interesting she said she’s very loud because she’s an only child. I’ve always blamed my social anxiety and being painfully quiet on being an only child but i guess it depends on your parents as mine are closed books and not very outgoing.

It’s lonely. I always think of my mom because she’s all I have and I’m scared when she passes and I’ll truly be alone..

i hate hearing all my friends complaining about their siblings being annoying when that’s all that i want, both my parents grew up with siblings and both didn’t get along with their siblings so they always say “we didn’t want you to have siblings because you would probably argue with them” but in reality i still beg for a sibling now. i’m the only person in my family that doesn’t have a sibling, my gran does, all my cousins do, my parents do and it’s so annoying having absolutely nobody that understands me. everyone thinks it’s all fun and games being an only child but really you’re just very lonely

I’m not an only child, I just hate having a little sister, I wish I had an older brother

My sibling came a decade after me, I’ve never felt as anything but an only child

I’m the youngest but something I feel like I’m the only child

Yep, me too. I remember as a young child looking into the closets to find proof that there were others. And always, as long as i can remember, I was afraid of beeing left alone when my parents died. And I was right for beeing afraid. I am alone now and it is pure horror.

its funny because despite being an only child i was never showered with attention. everyone else focused on the cute "complete" family with 3 kids and how they were all growing up. i grew up thinking i was such a huge disappointment because out of all the children my mother could have had, she got me. and since she only wants one child, this is what she has to deal with. it sucks. i had "imaginary" friends up to age 14 because i had absolutely no one to talk to straight after school. i knew they were fake, but it was nice to pretend

I do have sibling but one of them I don't even know but my main sibling is my big brother, but I grew up with him but he was never there because of school, so I would stay home with my parents, but the thing is he is now moved out but my parents just can't care they yell at me for nothing and they find every little detail to hate on me, like ewww ur dirty ewww you never sleep. And I can't take it I cry everytime now because I never had bully's except my parents and it makes me feel so wrong like I did something and I messed up so badly I am left with this field of hate where I just can't do enything right to redeem myself. My dad has always been the violent one, I would get yelled and screamed at for nothing about his problems, all was fine when I got older and he stopped work to be with me and to support my mental disorder, but when he went back to work because we spent so much money on a limo for my moms birthday, he is even worse he comes home screaming at me because I ask for dinner (I am at very bad health so I can't have anything strong and sugary ever) he needs to make me noodles and he gets a little mad then he starts them and starts screaming, (why will no one take car of me and!! Why do I have to do it all!) these are not his exact words but it was horrifying as this only happened when I was really little And I got use to it, and every from my dads verbal abuse and just in understanding, I thought my disorder was gone and far past me, but I found everytime when I feel pressured it comes back, so everytime he gets mad I get worse and he gets madder, ( my mental disorder is where I can't function*basicly just a kid who can't do what there told* but I can not help it I just can't do things like brush my teeth or brush anything really, I have inproved I brush my hair multiple times a day but I just can't brush my teeth, I try but my mind can set to it unless I force myself like force myself. Also my disorder makes me violent, such violence seems to make my dad happy as he laughs as I elbow him and kick him. And call him a idiot and a piece of shit, I am aware of this and I only do it to my dad, I can't fight someone except my dad. He angers me and annoys me to the point where I want to "make" him shut up.)

it's happy to have a lot of siblings. it's fun! haha

Am an only child, I live in fear of failing and not being able to care for my parents in their old age,.

I'm very independent so wonder what it would have been like if I was an only child.

I wish I was an only child but I have 3 siblings

The worst part of an only child is when you dont have a great relationship with your parents,have an abusive mom and you have no one by your side🙂

There are many people saying being an only child is a blessing and you're lucky and stuff. Sure being only child has benefits but it has downfalls too. Like for me it's more like a downfall. Sure you don't have to share anything with anyone. Your parents would only love you. But me, being an introvert, shy, socially awkward person with no friends no siblings it's hard. I have literally no one to talk to, to lean on someone's shoulder to cry on and I have no one when I would have to face a problem. So plz stop saying that being only child is amazing and don't you are lucky and I wish I was an only child and stuff. Just appreciate the fact that you have siblings and friends cause you would never know the pain many of only child would face.

I love being an only child, i never wished for siblings

When she said I'm really loud it's a only child thing because I'm loud and I'm a only child

I hate them when they say they jealous me for being the only child, they don't understand the pain. Today i just had a fight with one of my friends because of this. She said i won't understand having a sibling because I'm all alone and I always will be, that hurt me so much. I actually had a brother before he wasn't my real brother but we had the same nanny for like three years, he was nine years smaller than me and at that time he was still a toddler. I hated him so much that time because nanny kind of ignored me and spent more time on him and he was crying all day and spiting his saliva on my clothes. And one day suddenly nanny had her back spraine.d and she couldn't take care of him anymore and suddenly I felt all alone. I don't have cousins on my father's side and my mother's side cousins was living in another country and I only meet them once a year and they were so much bigger than me. I have friends but not that close, i met them online and I never met them in real life before. I can tell you, yes it's true I have all the things to myself and mom and dad put all their concentration on me, i get whatever i want and I can do anything i want. I get high grades and I have no tuition or daycare, after school i just stay at nanny's and mom fetch me home at night. Literally for the whole day i did not talked at all. I often cry myself to sleep at night because of loneliness and I sometimes really hoped i had a brother or sister. At about six mom was pregnant but failed. It was probably the saddest days in my life because I was so excited to finally have a sibling. Yes maybe i will never understand how it feels like having a sibling and yes I will never be able to. But let me remind you you'll never understand how it feels like being the only child too This actually depends on the person, this was the true story of me and exactly how I felt having no siblings, i know there's still people out there enjoying being the only child, good to you!

I was great at socializing with people older than me. I hate having to live with a roommate. I love going to places on my own. I always got stuck sitting next to strangers on roller coasters when I was a kid, but when I went with my friends, if we were an odd number, I was always comfy to volunteer to sit with the stranger

The worst part of being a only child is you get lonely sometimes and that what I feel right now.

I cry because people say I’m rich

I love it. Sometimes I was lonely. But whatever I never wanted a sibling.

I feel bad for only children

I have known a lot of kids who had no siblings. One observation I have made is that without exception they were all very needy.

The last thing the guy said is the exact truth. I have spoken

No one mentions by having a sibling/siblings there's always a favorite , in my case and my husband's we are not lol

Only children have our own community haha. As I get older I am starting to realize how not having sibilings really affected who I became

I'm an only child for both parents and I wasn't spoiled or doted on. My dad left for a foreign country when I was 6 and my mother worked all the time. Had to learn to cook and take care of myself from an early age. Was physically abused by my mother for the simplest things like not making sure the house was completely spotless before she got home at nights. But people always say I'm spoilt for being an only child. Wish I was even just a little bit.

I'm a only child and it sucks it is so lonely and boring

Im a only child i wish i had a brother its feels sad to be a only child and im 12

I've been an only child all my life but my parents are having another kid now... ahhhh!

My story is like i go down to play and my friend just talk bad about their sibling and i am like what the hell u are telling its so lucky to have a sibling who u can even fight, with talk with, share with .i known what's going everyday in the heart of a alone child .i cry everyday every moment in my heart .every night i cry .i cant express. I do know the good points of alone child but the bad points are very much more I just cant think of my my mom dad leaving me how will i handle me and my loneliness now i am bit much small to talk but think in this age i fell so bad what will happen in future. u guys are very much lucky who have a sibling with u i bet u cant leave without them.

It's hilarious how uncertain they sound talking about the benefits of being an only child... )))

Who else is only child like if you are

Heh. They forgot about the crippling lonliness.

I'm an only child and it is what it is. I've never known life any other way. I can't miss what I never had. That's just what my life is.

Being an only child is tough when you're introverted, have a limited social battery and it's even harder when you have aging parents.