Daily Struggles Only An Only Child Will Understand

Don't all match the stereotype

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Being an only child comes with its perks and disadvantages, and the majority of them, only other only children will be able to understand. One of the main struggles an only child has to tackle with, is the fact that they don't (necessarily) fit the stereotype of being an only child.

Prefer to avoid conflict

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Unlike people that have grown up with one or multiple siblings, only children tend to prefer avoiding conflict. This preference for peace, stems from growing up alone, and without the threat of sibling rivalry/disagreements. This means that they will often struggle handling conflict within their adult life.

Voracious readers

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You will often find with only children, that they are voracious readers, and will use this a way of escaping the mundane. They feel as though they can enter exciting worlds of make-believe, and fuel their active imaginations. Reading provides them with a sense of companionship.

Love to hang out with big families

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Only children will often enjoy spending time with larger families, whether it's their extended family or a friend's family. Being surrounded by so many people helps them feel connected to others, and allows them to socialize with a wider demographic.

Tend to be closer to their friends

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Friendships are extremely important to only children, as they will tend to be closer to their friends (due to the absence of a sibling within their life). They will spend most of their free time with their friends, and will actively try to maintain as many friendships as possible.

Don't mind being alone

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Despite wanting to spend time surrounded by large groups of people, only children don't mind being alone as well. Growing up as an only child can be isolating, but the majority of these children will find unique ways to keep themselves entertained e.g. reading, writing, playing with toys.

Like having people in the background

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Even if an only child is alone, they may enjoy having people in the 'background'. This is often in reference to them having people within the background noise they can hear, which can be artificial (television shows/videos) or real (people visiting their parents/people within public spaces).

They are old souls

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Some people may describe certain only children as 'old souls', and this is often due to their behavior and the way they carry themselves. These only children will come across as much more mature than their actual age, and may be educated on particular topics that are considered 'mature' or 'adult'.

Know exactly why they're only children

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There are a range of reasons why couples opt to have one child, and they will often speak to their child about the reasoning. For example, a couple may struggle to conceive, and will head down the (pricey) route of IVF treatment, which leads to them only have once successful embryo transfer.

Had imaginary friends

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The majority of children will have an active imagination, and this is often ten-fold for only children, which leads them to create imaginary lands/friends within their minds. They will create imaginary friends as a way of socializing, with the absence of a sibling.

Less prone to PDA

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Public displays of affection, or PDA as they're commonly referred to, are actions that showcase people's feelings for one another e.g. hugging, kissing, holding hands. Only children are less likely to be prone to PDA, as they would only be exposed to it via their parents and/or other adults within their lives.

Less likely to want kids

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It may come as a surprise, that only children are less likely to want children once they become adults. This can be down to a range of different factors, and can be impacted by the choices they make within their adult life e.g. career path, relationships, financial situation etc.

Often quite sensitive

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When interacting with an only child, you may find that they are quite sensitive. Again, this can be due to a variety of factors, but it will often stem from the absence of a sibling. This means they didn't experience 'typical' interactions within their childhood e.g. sibling rivalry, disagreements/petty fights and arguments.

Not likely to throw a punch

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Linking back to the last point, due to their sensitive nature, only children are less likely to engage in physical confrontation. They are much less likely to throw a punch during a confrontation, as they are not used to dealing with sudden bursts of emotion (especially anger) from other people.

People think they're weird

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Another main assumption that people have about only children, is the fact that they are weird. This is common among young children, as they begin to build friendships and developing a sense of self/personality. Only children are perceived as 'weird', because they may display abnormal behavior.

Not great at sharing

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An only child will often struggle with the concept of sharing, and this can transfer over into their adult life. This inability to share stems from childhood, and the fact that sharing wasn't a requirement, especially when it came to toys, food, attention etc.

Drawn to other only children

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When creating friendships and bonds within life, only children will often be able to identify other only children, and will be instantly drawn to them. This connection will usually be quite strong, as they will be able to relate to one another more, and have a lot of shared interests.

Believe they're the atypical case

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The majority of only children will believe they are the 'atypical' case during childhood, as they may not come into contact with another only child until entering into education, and/or larger groups of children. This can make them feel quite isolated.

They are obsessive

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A strong character trait of an only child, is the fact that can/will be obsessive. This obsessive trait can be in reference to a range of things, such as: special interests, books, hobbies, people, television shows, movies etc. This obsessive nature can have a negative impact, but the majority of the time, it is harmless.

They're always trying to please their parents

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You will often find with only children, that they will be people-pleasers, and this will heavily revolve around their need to please their parents. It will often develop during their childhood, and follow them into adulthood as well, which can cause them to become perfectionists/over-achievers.

They love attention

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Attention can have a strong effect on an only child, and they will often come up with ways that put them at the centre of it. It can be a strength and weakness to an only child, and can impact them in many ways. They will love every minute all attention is on them, but as soon as it shifts, their mood will change instantly.

Often have overbearing parents

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Every parent has different methods and styles when it comes to raising their children, and parenting an only child is no exception. Only children tend to have quite overbearing parents, and this is due to their attention being focused solely on one child. This can lead them to be pretty over-protective as well.

Upset that they won't be aunts/uncles

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As mentioned previously, only children will tend not to want children of their own, however this doesn't mean that they are completely opposed to being surrounded by children. Many only children are upset by the fact that they won't be aunts or uncles, at any point in their life.

Don't always play well with others

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Childhood is characterized by building friendships and playing, which can be difficult experiences for only children. They will often struggle to play with others in a polite and friendly manner, as they are only used to being alone, during any sort of 'playtime'.

Don't always accurately remember their childhood

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Staying on the topic of childhood, only children may not always accurately remember parts of their childhood, and this can be due to a range of factors. One of the main factors being, their active imagination. Their imagination will often cause their mind to blur the lines of reality and make-believe.

Used to pretend to have an older sibling

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Similarly to having one or more imaginary friends, an only child will often pretend to have an older sibling. By pretending to have an older sibling, they were able to feel more protected during vulnerable situations, whilst maintaining a form of companionship (even if it wasn't real).

Talk to themselves

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Another typical behavioral trait of an only child, would be: talking to themselves. This is something that would be quite common during their free-time, whilst playing with their toys and/or reading. It can follow them into adulthood, and can present itself in certain ways e.g. when performing certain tasks, when they're home alone and during work.

Not competitive

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Despite natural assumptions, an only child is less likely to be competitive, in comparison to children with siblings. This stems from not having to fight for attention etc. within their childhood, as well as not really being presented with potential competition during this time period.

Saved their parents money

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For many, having an only child can be a financial blessing, as they are able to budget for a much smaller family unit. They also don't have to worry about buying multiples of necessities, such as: diapers, pacifiers, school clothing, stationary, toys and toiletries.

They're just like everyone else

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Despite everything on this list, only children just want others to know, that they're just like everyone else. They don't want to feel alienated or ostracised, just because they may not fit the 'typical' standard for a child, and their family may not be nuclear.