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Imagine waking up on Christmas morning and not having any siblings to share in your excitement for the day. Imagine not having to “rock paper scissors” for the last slice of pizza. Imagine getting up to go to the bathroom and returning to find your favorite seat still open and waiting for you. Imagine never having to compromise on what you want for dinner.
Ah, the elusive life of an only child. Of course, 20% of people in the world know exactly what it’s like to grow up without siblings. But for those of us who grew up wearing hand-me-downs and squeezing into the dreaded middle car seat, there are some dead giveaways that someone else was an only child. Reddit users have recently been discussing these traits, so you’ll find some of their most spot on responses below, as well as some thoughts from only children on what makes them unique!
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#1
I told my bf to close his eyes and open his mouth(I was surprising him with candy), and he just did it with no suspicion at all.
People with siblings can’t trust like that.
Guy Bare 2 years ago
100 % confirm that. My 3 years old innocent mouth still remembers the taste of dog food...
Zedrapazia 2 years ago
To be fair, you'd also don't expect your spouse to feed you a spider as a 5 year old sister would
Mia Black 2 years ago
I am not an only child but the eldest and only encountered this on one of the few birthday parties I was invited to. I got raw garlic and chocolate in my mouth. Yes I was bullied my whole childhood but for this one kids birthday party my classmates were nice to me.... At first. They always played this games were they pretend to finally like me and then doing s****y things, pretending it wasn't bad, being kind again and then doing worse until they no longer had fun to pretend to be nice and openly disliked me for the next weeks...I believe I fell for it so often because I wished to finally not be the bullied one anymore... One day we got a new classmate. They bullied her more than me at that time, which was a relief but after few weeks I realised she suffered just like me and so we became best friends against the rest.
Sonja 2 years ago
If my sister told me to close my eyes and open my mouth I'd do it. All she ever gave me were sweets or strawberries. If my brother tried that I'd definitely not do it. It depends on the sibling.
Ken Beattie 2 years ago
We would never have put something weird into a siblings mouth. But "Close your eyes and hold out your hand" was fair game :)
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Natalie H 2 years ago
Same rule also applies when someone asks you to smell something, especially if it’s an empty container. DON’T. 😂
Tee Rat 2 years ago
"OMG.. this is disgusting smell it." This is too true, and also works for taste this.
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RELATED:
#2
I can't tell for adults, but when it's one of my kids' friends, the kid who ends up trying to hang out with the adults and gets overwhelmed by being in a group of kids has been an only child 100% of the time in my experience.
StrangeOne 2 years ago
Never thought of it that way, but it has been true for me. I just thought I got along better with older people.
athornedrose 2 years ago
that's also every eldest daughter i've met (me included). when you're responsible for all the little ones, it never feels like big groups of friends that young aren't a little overwhelming
Evan not Hansen 2 years ago
I'm the oldest kid and I was also like this. Part of it was that my mom had me a little younger than most of her friends so when my parents would bring us to their friends' houses all the children were 3-5 years younger at least.
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Bryoney Blakley 2 years ago
I was like that but definitely not an only child. And not on the spectrum either. I just found ppl my own age overwhelming and dramatic. Older ppl had far more interesting conversations.
Matt Ronald Slater 2 years ago
I have a younger brother, and you just described me. However, I am autistic, so that may be part of it.
Upstaged75 2 years ago
My friend who's the only "only child" I know always had to have the last word in any argument. She didn't have the skills of compromising that every sibling has to develop in order to preserve peace. Funny enough as an adult she has just one kid of her own, and doesn't plan to have another. :)
#3
From my own experience, not being as prone to loneliness. The only time I really feel lonely is when I'm around people I'd rather not be with.
StrangeOne 2 years ago
Exactly. The thought of being lonely with yourself is not a known feeling.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
Can confirm. A lot of people with siblings don't get how I can spend hours upon hours alone.
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Chintan Shah 2 years ago
There's a lot of these kind of posts and I have to say, I cannot relate at all. As an only child I have a crippling need for doing things with others and not being alone. Being lonely is one of my biggest fears and I have a constant need to spend time with friends so I don't get lonely.
Liam Walsh 2 years ago
I agree with you - it's not a 'one size fits all' situation for each of these. People's personalities do make a difference. I have three siblings and have an intense need to be on my own for significant portions of the day - I suspect it's because we needed to get away from each other at times and that was hard in an ordinary three bed house!
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Jill Pulcifer 2 years ago
I am impervious to loneliness, I also never feel bored. Baffles my husband who is one of four and feels the need to spend his entire time driving (literally anywhere) on the phone with me.
Lizz 2 years ago
The other way around with us... I have a sibling and have no problem being alone, my husband is an only child and can't do anything alone and when I'm at work he texts me photos of the pets or stuff like that...
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Upstaged75 2 years ago
I have a sibling and I'm still an excellent "loner". Maybe it's because I was the first kid and learned to play on my own before he came along? My brother on the other hand always had to have friends over or be going somewhere to meet them. He was never good at entertaining himself alone. It's a useful skill to have.
Evolbeky 2 years ago
I'm also an excellent loner, but im the younger sibling. Whenever either of us was invited to a friend's house the other was required to be invited too so that it was "fair". Now I have social anxiety and can't stand to be around people if my husband isn't there too. Never made that connection until now, but maybe my parents botched that one, however well intentioned they were.
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Kathleen McGann 2 years ago
I have to disagree here. My husband and I are both only children and we both suffer from loneliness sometimes.
Saiya Sholar 2 years ago (edited)
I'm an only child.... I like my solitary times sometimes (like at night), but I'm a very lonely person with no friends or social prospects
#4
Thinking friendship is like having siblings. Its not. I would never smash a toy on my friend's head and expect them to speak to me after.
Kosh1k 2 years ago
I mean, this depends. Some people have friends who become sibling tier - I have a friend who is legit like a sister to me, complete with lovingly and constantly dunking on each other.
Dan 2 years ago
Agreed. I have 7 siblings (some step) and I am much closer to a couple of life-long friends than my siblings.
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Legend_Trooper 2 years ago
This is the most relatable thing, me and my brother will do the most messed up things to each other, and be cool with each other five minutes later.
#5
Pretty good at keeping ourselves entertained or doing things alone/being independent.
Manic Mama 2 years ago
I'm exactly like this - middle child of 3 girls. Sometimes people just enjoy their own company.
Tee Rat 2 years ago (edited)
I'm the middle of 5 and my siblings have asked me how I don't have a problem being alone. "I've been training for this all my life."
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Chintan Shah 2 years ago
There's a lot of these kind of posts and I have to say, I cannot relate at all. As an only child I have a crippling need for doing things with others and not being alone. Being lonely is one of my biggest fears and I have a constant need to spend time with friends so I don't get lonely.
Not-a-Clue (she/her) 2 years ago
I'm exactly like the post, yet the youngest of three 🤷🏼♀️
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Ivy at Eve 2 years ago
I beg to differ. I have 3 brothers and very capable of entertaining myself and am independent to a fault. Probably because I'm the only girl and the eldest.
#6
Only child here. As a kid, I couldn’t relate to other children. Their behavior was completely foreign to me. Even now that I’m old, most people seem odd.
HeavyMetalHeart 2 years ago
I tended to find other kids immature, because I was more used to adult company.
PlatinumThe8-BitCat 2 years ago
Again, I’m not an only child and this is exactly what I do, maybe I’m just weird
Load More Replies... StrangeOne 2 years ago
I didn't know that was a single child thing. I thought it was just because of all the times I moved and being the new kid so often, and having to be around different kids with different interest groups. Just couldn't fit in well for the life of me.
Melissa Gallo 2 years ago
Absolutely! I found them loud and childish and stayed away from them
Veronica Thomas Hickie 2 years ago
This makes so much sense, I felt the same way and thought there was something wrong with me.
Lemon_squeezy 2 years ago
Not a single kid thing, just a personally you thing. Maybe even anti social or something, which makes you the odd one technically. Also, again, not an only child thing because that would imply you never had friends and were coddled.
#7
They can get s**t done without asking for help. Example- I’ve had people calling me to assist them in making the bed because they needed somebody to hold the other corner of the sheet?? Dude, this is not a 2 people job! I was doing something else and you require assistance with a piece of cotton?
Same goes for putting together furniture. ‘Takes 2 people to assemble’ . Sure. It takes 2 people to assemble unless they are an only child, then it just takes the one.
PazDores 2 years ago
Maybe for some people with siblings but I rarely got help from my siblings.
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Julie Laplante 2 years ago
And half the time, if there is someone to help assemble, you just feel like they're getting in the way. (The entire reason I'm going to get our new bed put together BEFORE my husband gets home today ;)
WFH Forever 2 years ago
My husband is also banned from any and all assembly projects. Failure to read and follow directions!
Load More Replies... Judes 2 years ago
I'm one of five, and I'd much rather do such tasks alone. Other people just get in the way.
WiseGirlRomanoff 2 years ago
Same for the 1 of 5 thing, but I do stuff alone because I have trouble asking for help
Load More Replies... Thatkamloopsguy 2 years ago
I was the youngest of 5 but yet I relate to all the single child things. Weird.
LooseSeal's $10 Banana 2 years ago
Yes! My wife always feels bad when I make the bed myself. I'm like, you speed up the process by maybe 15 seconds. I appreciate your willingness, but it's not necessary.
Richard Michael 2 years ago
This makes so much sense, and is why I get frustrated with people who ask me for help on something I could easily do myself.
Stay Off My Lawn 2 years ago
I long ago mastered the art of completing two-person jobs alone. I’m not an only child, I’m just highly accustomed to abandonment and have become hyperindependent.
Yu Hong Tam 2 years ago
I have a brother, but he can't do well as i do. It's more like because i was the older one i need to do all the sh*tty assembly stuff. Now i'm pretty good at it and he doesn't.... BUT i like to do it by myself. I don't argue with myself...
#8
On a more positive note… from personal experience, being secure with doing things alone
Upstaged75 2 years ago
Me too - but I'm not an only child. Just a loner. :)
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Khavrinen 2 years ago
In the past few years there have been several memes about people being embarrassed/ashamed of going to restaurants alone, and until I started seeing them, it never even crossed my mind that this was something to be concerned about. It's just how every meal out has always been for me, so I never thought "Oh no, what will people think?"
nia not long 2 years ago
Eh. Maybe because my sister and I are so far apart in age I fall into the only child category but I don't mind doing things alone. Sometimes a prefer it so that I can do whatever it is I planned without others input and needing to be considerate.
Kharyss 2 years ago
Yep! My, 14 years older than me, sister can’t sleep in her own house alone without her husband or a friend staying over. I (female and single) moved 3500 miles away to a country I’d never even visited before for work. Learning to be self reliant as an child opens up a whole world of possibilities.
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Abbystar_Clydestar Mason 2 years ago
I can see that I have two siblings and we usually do things together especially if it's something new to all of us that way if we mess up at least we're messing up with people that we're comfortable with.
Johnny Storm 2 years ago
While as eldest, I'm having anxiety when they going away from home for various reason for first time like can they do their laundry? Prep their meal? Check their tyre? Prepare their essential? Keys? Everything..
Tiffany Adue 2 years ago
My mom is an only child and maybe it because she has 4 kids and is still with my dad (so very used to people being around) but she is the opposite, she never wants to do stuff alone
Analyn Lahr 2 years ago
I have a sister and I like doing things alone. But then we were never very close.
#9
I am an only child… I’ve noticed I tend to make a lot of life choices on my own and don’t seek out a lot of advice or ask for help when I could definitely use it. In fact, I’ve been pretty deep in tough situations when I finally have the realization that there are people and resources I can utilize. It’s not so much I’m worried about asking for help, more like it doesn’t even register in my brain that there is help outside of myself.
Phoenix 2 years ago
I have this issue too and I'm not an only child. Mine comes from a lack of supportive parents.
Ash Conner 2 years ago
This is so me. I also am like this because it was hard to get a parent, teacher or any adult help me. I also have ADHD and did not know it as a kid, so I would have to teach myself a lot of things due to I missed what the teacher was always saying
Sarah nashold 2 years ago
I was raised in the 70s and 80s and do have an older brother but feel like I was left alone so much I just figured it out.
Brandon Walker 2 years ago
This isn't an only child thing, this is a bad parent thing, they failed to teach you how to ask for help, probably by being unable or unwilling to help you growing up
Lou Cam 2 years ago
As a child my parents had to work shifts and often I'd have to be the responsible one at home looking after my two siblings (even though one is older than me). I was parentified so I grew up reliant on just myself as my siblings were little morons who couldn't work out how to butter bread. Sometimes being a sibling turns you from people.
#10
When they get [mad] that things aren't done the way they think it should be done because they've never had to compromise with anyone before.
StrangeOne 2 years ago
This I don't relate to. It was always my mom's way or the highway. She still tries to get a leverage over me. Crazy thing is she's not an only child.
Alexandra 2 years ago
Totally agree. Even an only child has got to go to school and do shared projects, not to mention engaging in team sports so there is ample opportunity to learn to cooperate and compromise. Also, being around adults more, they see how compromise works. With siblings it's more likely you have sibling rivalry, which is a whole different kettle of fish.
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HeavyMetalHeart 2 years ago
Nah. I’m an only child but used to be very conflict-averse and a people pleaser. If anything, I’ve tended to compromise too much in my life.
setsuriseikou 2 years ago
Guilty as charged. Not my Mom's or Gran's fault, though, they definitely did their best raising me. I'm slowly learning to compromise now, but it's harder than I expected (and much, much more needed than I could've thought)
Someone Somewhere 2 years ago
My only child friend once came back to my house after riding their horse. My sister was showering, and my friend got mad that the shower wasn’t available for them at the exact moment they wanted to use it. The idea of waiting for 10 minutes for it stressed them out.
kansasmagic 2 years ago
I've never had this problem. I think it has more to do with personality, basic politeness, and the example of my parents (who often compromised or worked together on things) than being an only child. OTOH my four kids don't know the meaning of "compromise".
Ima Manimal 2 years ago
Not from what I’ve observed. I’ve always seen more maturity and patience.
Alicia M 2 years ago
This describes my dad. He was an only child and always seemed extra particular, like you could never please him. My mom always blew it off as "being an only child." It's sad now that he's dead because we have no extended family from his side. No aunts, uncles, or cousins. Once my grandparents and my dad died, that was a huge part of our family.
Michael King 2 years ago
Maybe for a 2 year old, but if you've gone to school you learn to compromise.
#11
I’m an only child. One huge difference I see time and time again with those who have siblings—they had much more exposure to a longer timespan of media/music/games growing up. My idea of nostalgia consists of my specific timeline of media growing up, but those with siblings were able to watch tv shows their older brother watched, or knows about that game their little sister played.
Mycroft1967 2 years ago
True never would have listened to punk rock or heavy metal without a brother. Probably never would have read Steven King without a sister.
Richard Michael 2 years ago
Not true, at all. I did all those things lol!
Load More Replies... Sonja 2 years ago
I definitely soaked up a lot of generational stuff from my siblings. Especially due to hand me downs from them since I was the youngest.
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
My sister (23) was delighted when my brother (31) decided to get rid of a heap of band t shirts!
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Mmm K 2 years ago
I think this is very much dependent on the family again. As for me, I was exposed to various decades and centuries of media and music through my parents and older relatives who raised me. Since I had no siblings, I spent more time around with adults and I became an old soul really easily at an extremely young age.
agender idiot (he/they) 2 years ago
it can sometimes be a curse though, i was never able to put on something i wanted to watch because there was always someone who didnt want to watch it. then we'd have to decide on something we both wanted to watch, but if it was a show, then we could never watch it without the other person...
Abbystar_Clydestar Mason 2 years ago
Well yeah that's how siblings work you share stuff so if course we would know about those things.
Sarah Beijk 2 years ago
Can't relate to that. I listened to my mother's music growing up. I even preferred listwning to a classic rock radio station growing up even though my parents didn't even listen to that. But I just liked the old music.
Auntriarch 2 years ago
Not really, I used to listen to my best friend's music which she got from her elder brother
Super Beast 2 years ago
my sister was a teenager in early 90s. i love, love, love grunge. i was a teen in late 90s and early 2000s, and my sister got into nu metal with me.
naylene hess 2 years ago
For me all that stuff came from my grandparents who raised me (i used to and still do go everywhere with my grandpa) and my uncles who loved metal and video games and being a big clown 😂
#12
Wishing they had siblings.
Someone with siblings probably wishes they were an only child.
khatpewp 2 years ago
People have always asked if I wanted siblings. I have no idea what it would be like, so I just say no. I do often wonder what they would be like, but the idea is passing and I'd rather stare at a doughnut.
Heather Gomez 2 years ago
I never wanted siblings as a child, but now that my folks are gone, I so wish there was someone else to share those memories I have of them 😥
1 2 years ago
Only child here... Not having siblings has always felt like being born missing a limb, it feels normal for you but you still know something is missing. When I was young I used to think I was missing out but now I know plenty of siblings don't get along.
Elliot 2 years ago
I'm the middle child so I never get any of the attention, or the stuff, or the love or anything, so I just wish I could have more attention from my mum or anything. Also, my siblings are both EXTREMLY needy. Like, they beg for random sh!t every day, and then throw a fit if they don't get it, so I rly do wish I was an only child. (Sorry for minorly trauma dumping lol)
StrangeOne 2 years ago (edited)
I'm not entirely a single child. I have 2 half brothers and a step-brother who all live with my Dad and his wife. I live with my mom. Since going to my Dad's was so sporadic and eventually non-existent I did miss my brothers. There was a time when I wished my mom had another kid. But by the time I got to my teens I realized it's a good thing I'm an only child. My mom ended up marrying someone with 2 older teens for a while but they soon moved out. I never really saw the as siblings.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I used to want siblings. Mainly to have someone to ask stuff or get advice.
#13
They enjoy quiet houses.
Nina 2 years ago
Not specific to being the only child. I really enjoy having a quiet house, I did grow up with a sister
Do-nut touch da donut 2 years ago
I have two brothers... a quiet house is a luxury
Load More Replies... StrangeOne 2 years ago
Eh. When the house was quiet that's when I could pick up on the subtle changes in the atmosphere and get creeped out. The TV had to be on when I was alone and all the lights on, too.
Owen 2 years ago
Buy a cheap radio. That helped me a lot when I started living alone.
Load More Replies... Featherking 2 years ago
Again: that’s me, one of three siblings. Nah - I give up on this listing.
#14
My husband HATES sharing food!
He is also very good at keeping himself entertained and busy- this was very evident during Covid when I was soooo bored and lost because all my previous hobbies and pastimes were outside the home and/or social activities, however, he just kept going and picked up so many new little hobbies that were independent
khatpewp 2 years ago
I love sharing food. I enjoy eating alone, but there's always enough to give to someone else. I love to spend all day in the kitchen cooking for a giant party. People come in and spend a few minutes with me then move on. In the end I've had my pseudo-solitary culinary experience while beneath the guise of being social. Then everyone gets to eat while I watch them enjoy. So satisfying!
Heather Talma 2 years ago
Yes, but do you share what's on your own plate? Or the bowl of chips you grabbed for yourself?
Load More Replies... Owen 2 years ago
As an only child, and a keen cook, I lose all skill when I have to cook for more than one person. I always get the portion sizes wrong or under/overcook. When I just cook for me I make some good stuff, but for others... fugedaboutit.
naylene hess 2 years ago
Just pretend your making food for yourself for x days where x is the amount of people your serving!! Might help keep the pressure off hahah cause i do the same thing
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Lace Neil 2 years ago
Having grown up having to constantly defend my plate from my three brothers, anyone who tries to take my food will get a fork in the hand.
Tee Rat 2 years ago
That's just what I was thinking. Eating with the plate guarded with one arm and one eye one your siblings.
Load More Replies... Ima Manimal 2 years ago
I would think that for most people, have someone digging in your plate is a bit offputting. Unless it’s a cultural thing to share communal bowl or plate.
SonicAlchemy 2 years ago
Pretty much the idea of my comment before I saw yours, yes. A pizza, a bucket of fried chicken, a potluck bowl of potato salad, crudite, chips and dip set out for everyone to dig into, cool, help yourself. My own individual bowl of spaghetti or a triple stack of pancakes, no, keep your f'n fork and hands to yourself.
Load More Replies... Jill Pulcifer 2 years ago
I hate sharing food, and my husband with many siblings is constantly trying to make me eat whatever he has. I never thought about this in relation to how many siblings we do, or in my case, dont have. Interesting.
Johnny Storm 2 years ago
Food doesn't taste delicious without someone else dipping their spoon with saliva on it.
Lemon_squeezy 2 years ago
I think most people hate "sharing" their food, but context matters, such as you just digging in without asking or you do ask and he still says no. Idc who you are, it's rude to grab off someone's plate without permission. Food is no joke to most people, so just ask regardless.
Lemon_squeezy 2 years ago
But as someone who comes from a family that shares a little bite whenever we eat out, you still have to ask or offer lmfao.
Load More Replies... #15
For me, it's when someone has no idea what non-food items taste like (dog treats, shaving cream, etc.)
StrangeOne 2 years ago
Ah, but that one time I really wanted to know why dogs like their biscuits and why some people ate cat food. Not really that disgusting. Not really a go-to snack.
Owen 2 years ago (edited)
I ate some dog biscuits as a kid to make my friends laugh (Primary school - so about 10yrs old). It worked, and they actually weren't bad. I used to joke that I was just a dirty dog. I'm old now, and not much has changed there.
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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 2 years ago
My parents bought their toy pom Good Boy treats. They're a round disc about the size of an American dime, and the box says they're chocolate. Well, they're carob, of course, and unsweetened. Once when we were putting the groceries away, Mom wondered aloud if they really tasted like chocolate. My brother and I both said no.
My O My 2 years ago
You were lovely children! I'm sure mom was glad she didn't have to try one to find out 😂
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Stardust she/her 2 years ago
I have a brother but he didn’t have anything to do with me eating shaving cream
Karl 2 years ago
I used to try and eat all sorts of stuff when I was a kid E.g. sand, coal, plastic, etc. After coming home drunk and accidentally eating some of my cat’s “Rascal’s Reward” crunchy treats, I developed a taste for them. Hence my glossy coat, bright eyes, playful nature, healthy urinary tract etc. (I have a friend who confessed her love of Bonio dog biscuits after a similar incident)
not your average weirdo 2 years ago
My siblings like to put socks and their feet in peoples mouths 😭
naylene hess 2 years ago
My little sister used to fart directly into people's faces lmao 🤣
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The Doom Song 2 years ago
Thanks to my brother I know what fly spray tastes like. Oh and window cleaner. And shampoo.
maddie 2 years ago
I know what all the coins taste like. And dirt from 5 different states.
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◦•●◉ 𝒮𝒽𝓎 𝒟𝓇𝒶𝑔𝑜𝓃 (𝓈𝒽𝑒/𝒽𝑒𝓇) ◉● 2 years ago
I’ve nibbled a dog treat and it tasted really dry. IT JUST LOOKED NICE AND MY DOG LOVES THEM AND IT LOOKED LIKE DRIED HAM OR BACON
#16
I hate being an only child as an adult. I don't really care that I was a main focus when I was a kid. If I don't have a partner I'm basically f****d emotionally and have no support when my parents inevitably become ill.
khatpewp 2 years ago
I've had a long time to mentally prepare for the inevitable as an only. Emotionally impossible.
Powerful Musk Ox 2 years ago
My mom just died a couple of weeks ago. I'm an only child. I've had to force myself to reach out to extended family/close friends for support, even if I'm typically much more self-sufficient. NGL, it sucks.
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StrangeOne 2 years ago
Perhaps this is why I glob on to anyone who shows the slightest interest in being my friend.
Mary Kelly 2 years ago
just b/c you have siblings, doesn't mean they are supportive...or will help when it comes time to take care of your elderly parents...
Haywood Jablome 2 years ago
Oh man talk about no support...I have 1 mom and 1 uncle. That's my entire family, end of list. I'm going to be very alone in another decade or 2
Chintan Shah 2 years ago
I cannot upvote this enough. 1000% agree. I am currently dealing with this in my life right now. Parents are ill and on the other side of the country and my partner and I are separated. It sucks trying to take care of your parents digitally.
kansasmagic 2 years ago
Ok, *this* could be a big one. Yes, only children have to deal with parents' illness/death on their own. (I will say this might be true even if you have a partner.)
Cassie 2 years ago
"have no support when my parents inevitably become ill" - The older generations had the best options to save for their silver years and have been very vocal, generally speaking, about the younger generations not being wise with their money. Those parents should have saved up to take care of themselves when they "inevitably become ill" but more and more we see the younger generations footing the bill. I've made it abundantly clear to my father that I don't have that kind of money or the same opportunities he did to have that kind of money for retirement, so he better be smart and take care of that himself. And, yea, I'm an only child, so he's sol getting his kids to take care of him financially. Emotionally, he was abusive, so I'm not all that vested in taking care of him at all. Hope he's got that figured.
#17
I heard once that only children are less likely to announce where they are going when they leave a room. Right away, I realized I'm like that, but my partner, who grew up with two sisters, tells me where he's about to go when he moves, even if it's to the bathroom.
Khavrinen 2 years ago
Oh! That explains something I'd never understood at work. I often have coworkers tell me they're going to the bathroom, and I'm usually thinking, "Why the heck do I need to know that? Just go."
Carmen Rust 2 years ago
I work in retail, we all generally do that but mostly because when you inevitably get paged while you're pants down mid-action, someone else can grab the call or tell the person paging "they're in the bathroom" so they can page someone else or at least not get pissed when they get no response 😂
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Idiocy Incarnate (she/her) 2 years ago (edited)
I say that sometimes because if I don't someone's gonna be like "where u going??" Like yes I'm going to Egypt to start a new lif- THE BATHROOM WHERE ELSE
The Doom Song 2 years ago
I tell people when I'm going to the bathroom. Only coz sometimes there is no lock on the door and I don't want people to accidentally barge in
Owen 2 years ago
I had the no-lock problem in my last flat, and had a flatmate who would also often have his kids over. I just bought Post-It notes and would stick one on the door if I was showering.
Load More Replies... Haywood Jablome 2 years ago
I never tell anyone where I'm going or when I get there, and I move pretty silently because I had to learn to sneak past a drunk/abusive baby sitter every day. I startle people on a daily basis without even trying
No Clue 2 years ago
I have read several times that that is a common trait in people who were abused as children (moving around without making a sound). I'm sorry. ☹️🩵
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KK Thomas 2 years ago
Not true. I grew up with a twin. My husband is an only child. I just get up and go and he announces
Huddo's sister 2 years ago
Had 4 siblings and generally we don't say where we are going either, just 'I'll be back' sometimes
Load More Replies... Johnny Storm 2 years ago
That's like subconscious act of telling people where you go or there will be a manhunt for you..
Eledore Massis 2 years ago
Same, shut up and go. I can hear you perfectly moving from room to room from the comforts of my bed. I know you are there no need to wake me up..
#18
From personal experience, food habits. Like buying snacks to store at home and fully expecting them to not have been touched when you’re gone, or eating slower at the dinner table because you’re not fighting over the good food.
As a teen, on the rare occasion my dad would steal a snack I got for myself I’d freak out, whereas my friends with siblings just resigned themselves to the fate of snacks inevitably disappearing. My mom eats super fast at meals, and she attributes it largely to growing up with siblings.
Fenchurch 2 years ago (edited)
My sister and I would lick our favourite items of food on our plates, so the other couldn't steal it. Even today we say "I've licked that" to signify something is ours. although now we are only joking, back then it was deeply serious method of germ warfare against each other.
Haywood Jablome 2 years ago
The irony is presumably you all lived together and used the same bathrooms. You were already swimming in each other's germs
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My O My 2 years ago
Also: eating the best thing on the plate first vs sparing it to eat it last
Aroace tiger (she/they/he) 2 years ago
I'd be pissed if any of my siblings purposely stole my food. My brother accidentally stole my Oreos and I'm not happy
Mia Black 2 years ago
I saw this too but also think this has something to do with the parenting quality. My partner and I both have two siblings. Partner eats a lot and fast because of the brothers. I eat slow because in my family my portion of food is mine. We even weighted our snack portions the rare time we got them so that everyone got the same amount!
maddie 2 years ago
I have so many memories of having to divide things down to the last crumb, thats always fun.
Load More Replies... Mary Kelly 2 years ago
my friend used to say that "there are two kinds of people in this world: the quick and the hungry"....yep....
HeavyMetalHeart 2 years ago
Slow eating, yeah, that one is right! I had an ex who was the youngest of three and he was always finished his food when I had barely started mine!
Pan-Panda 2 years ago
When my brothers were teenagers they had a tendency to take ALL of the leftovers as lunch to school. There were 9 kids still living in the house, and back then leftovers were enough to feed them a whole entire meal again. But yeah apparently 2 teenage boys needed a whole lasagna to have enough for lunch.
#19
No tales of sibling violence
Steph 2 years ago
Ha, I can relate to this one! When fighting with my brother, things could escalate quickly. We‘d use whatever was laying around to beat each other up. 😂 So my parents made sure to always put the garden equipment (I.e. shovels, brooms) away in the garden shack. Playing knights could quickly turn into a more violent game and a true fight. (Mind you, that was growing up in the early 80ies) On the other hand, whenever we‘d get scolded we would stick together and stand up for each other. I miss my Brother. ❤️
Zaara 2 years ago
Ah, the many injuries. My younger brother once threw a metal Thomas the Tank Engine at my temple. 15 years later, and I still have a scar.
Poppy 2 years ago
I once dislocated my sister's jaw. She came up behind me and jabbed her fingers in my ribs and as I was bending over to stroke our dog at the time, I jerked backwards and the rear of my head collided with her jaw, dislocating it and chipping a tooth. It was sweet accidental revenge as I'm incredibly ticklish and she isn't at all.
Do-nut touch da donut 2 years ago
My best is whenever my brother started wrestling and decided he wanted to try and use the moves he learned on me.... he couldnt pin me once, and we ended with me sitting on his back... than we get up and go play vid games together like nothing happened <3
Benita Valdez 2 years ago
I am almost 40 and my sister is 43 and an alleged soup can incident still comes up once in a while 😂
#20
They are very deliberate in their chosen relationships, e.g. friendships, partners, and are usually extremely independent, at least in my experience.
Nina 2 years ago
This can also happen with people who didn't have (enough) support or didn't feel connected when growing up.
Kelsie Marx 2 years ago
Nina, I couldn’t agree with you more. While growing up, I always felt that my parents put me in the back burner. I wasn’t important to them enough, like my brother. He was the golden child.
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Chintan Shah 2 years ago (edited)
Yea nope. Don't relate to this one either. I'm friends with all sorts of people. And I'm very dependent on the approval of others and love spending time with others - I'd hang out daily if I could. I absolutely hate being alone
sweetrottenpeaches 2 years ago
This is also so irrelevant to being an only child I think. It mostly depends on experiences while growing up.
Raelene Christie 2 years ago
Lol I'm one of three and have always been like this, you can't choose your family but you can choose your friends so make sure you pick good ones. I will give most people the benefit of the doubt, but mess with me and you'll never see it hear from me again, no second chances, I learned this from my bad first marriage. I saw the red flags but did it anyway and had to live 2it for 17 years. I'm not as friendly or open and I have a much smaller group of real friends who are like the family I always needed!
#21
They’re very quiet roommates in my experience. Sometimes don’t even know when they’re home. I hypothesize that they’re just used to quiet spaces and might feel uncomfortable when their surroundings get loud or chaotic. People with siblings are used to other people clanging around and making noise.
They need more alone time and aren’t scared of being home by themselves.
When they’re planning to go somewhere or do something, they don’t tell anyone or announce it. They just go do it.
As adults, they tend to live alone rather than with roommates, if circumstances allow it.
If their parents are either super young or super old compared to their peers’ parents, it’s more likely they’re the only kid.
kansasmagic 2 years ago
Disagree about "needing" more alone time. That's personality. I am an exceedingly introverted only child, but I know introverts with siblings and extravert singletons. Rule of thumb is that personality is about half genetic and half environment (including but not limited to birth order or # of siblings).
Nightshade1972 2 years ago
My wife's an only child. My inlaws tried for a decade before my MIL was finally able to conceive--she was 42 when my wife was born. My MIL was only three years younger than my maternal grandmother.
SonicAlchemy 2 years ago
I couldn't stand having roommates when I was in a position in life where I had to have them. Everyone else was cool with having their bedroom door wide open, hung out in the living room, ate at the kitchen island, sat outside with their friends, etc. I was definitely the one with my door shut, expecting the respect of a knock, eating by myself, doing my own internet/TV/music time. I can definitely agree this had to do with growing up an only child.
Ash Conner 2 years ago
I am an only child and I hate being home alone at night. I slept with mu grandma forever. Either next to her or in the same room. I hate sleeping but myself. I don't tell my kids not to sleep next to me. I freaking hate it.
Milky Way Cookie 2 years ago
Only during the sunlight I'll be comfortable alone, once it gets dark? No, I will stay on a call for hours until someone gets home so I won't be alone
Isabel Care 2 years ago
I loved being at home by myself, being able to relax without fear of a sneak attack. A squaddie friend once commented on my choice of seat in a pub, I could see all exits, windows and no one could get behind me. Having older brothers trained me to be paranoid.
#22
I’m an only child. I hate sharing. If you wanted some cake, order yours do not eat my cake. Yes, I’m spoiled so what? I will not borrow your things if I can just buy my own. I don’t understand other people (who has siblings) who will ask to borrow and not return my things. It’s called stealing.
Unicorn Chaos (Unicorn Chaos) 2 years ago
This is the part that I don't like..."Yes, I’m spoiled so what?" Uh, it's not ok to be a jerk because you're an only child spoiled brat?
Lemon_squeezy 2 years ago
I agree, but context matters. I do hate it when you ask if someone wants something to eat and they say no, but will dig their grubby hands into your food after you get it (and usually not even ask but regardless), which is annoying and immature. There's a difference between giving a bite vs actually having to share your food or drink entirely with someone. Kind of rude to expect someone to share with you, especially if they bought it themselves to eat. Don't mess with my food.
Load More Replies... Mmm K 2 years ago (edited)
I am like this in many ways but certainly not "spoiled." I used to share so much more when I was younger and then I realized that many people took advantage of me, so I stopped doing it as much. I don't think it's selfish or spoiled to want to have boundaries with things that are your own.
Gracie Mae 2 years ago
Neither a borrower nor lender be...even with siblings, I learned at an early age not to loan something out that you can't afford to lose (same with money)
kansasmagic 2 years ago
It's simple: you share the whole cake, not the single slice that was cut and plated for one person.
PlatinumThe8-BitCat 2 years ago
This isn’t an only child thing, I would never ever let my siblings have whatever I’m eating or use something that is mine
Kelsie Marx 2 years ago
My son is the only child, spoiled rotten, but I’m teaching him to share. 😀
Meredith Parker 2 years ago
My daughter is an only child and hates sharing food. I also said to her when she was a senior in high school that I might be pregnant. She said if I had a baby she would throw it off the roof. This, coming from a lovely girl who is kind to others, but it's the only child syndrome showing up.
#23
They feel the weight of both their parents' hopes and dreams as well as their needs. If you're an only child who grew up in a loving home, chances are you also had a lot of responsibility to make something out of all the time and resources your parents put into you.
Jill Pulcifer 2 years ago
This is weirdly true, my mother who raised me alone mostly, had this idea that because I was talented in various areas that I would some how become a millionaire and save her. She never forgave me for being a regular person.
Idiocy Incarnate (she/her) 2 years ago
Sometimes mothers need to open their eyes and see that just because you think something is gonna happen, doesn't mean it will
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kansasmagic 2 years ago
Nope! My parents never tried to live through me, with the brief exception when my dad tried to get me into model trains. They let me find and pursue my own interests. Part of it is that *they* had interests and hobbies of their own.
Nightshade1972 2 years ago
My wife is MTF trans, and an only child. She had an older, gay, cousin who died of AIDS in the 1980s. My wife waited until her parents were deceased before she publicly transitioned, because she was so terrified of "disappointing" them--she grew up hearing both my inlaws frequently opine about "what a shame it was that Cousin chose to be gay."
Milky Way Cookie 2 years ago
I'm scared that my parents expect me to be the only kid who's successful and would be pissed when I'm not, I have 4 more siblings, but the oldest is an anime geek (love her) and my mom hates anime, middle is an athlete so she's dragging my mom everywhere and we all HATE it, youngest are too young to tell
#24
Always weirds me out when people have games, consoles, collectibles, etc from their childhood. All of my stuff was either handed down to, broken, or lost by siblings.
Annik Perrot 2 years ago
There's still an ongoing, if good-natured, feud between two of my sons (38 and 33) about which one of them is the legitimate owner of one particular console...
Fenchurch 2 years ago
My sister still owes me two "Woggle" games. Woggle was a dog she would pretend to be to amuse me when I was five. She would use the promise of being Woggle to bribe me to be good when she was looking after me. I'm 49 and still salty that she owes me 🤣
Load More Replies... Idiocy Incarnate (she/her) 2 years ago
Or I never got it at all because sibling can't be trusted and now that has an effect on ME
StrangeOne 2 years ago
If you moved a lot as a single child there was always something missing or broken. Still got hand me downs. My daughter's clothes for a good part of her childhood were hand me downs from other relatives.
naylene hess 2 years ago
All my collections were accumulated over the last 20 years from garage sales and freinds giving me stuff isnt really hand me downs lol
Johnny Storm 2 years ago
My brother pee inside my console that I bought with my hard earned money on the first day because I didn't want to let him play it first..
Nykky 2 years ago
Again, parents not teaching kids to not be d***s. My stuff is always broken because nobody gives a s**t about my things, but that's not from my brother being around. That's from my "family" looking at me as less than dirt. It would have happened with or without my brother, it just happened quicker with him.
Gracie Mae 2 years ago (edited)
I feel pretty good about keeping a gaming system my kids shared years ago (they were taught to respect stuff, especially expensive stuff!)--just gave it to one of my kids (nearly 25 yrs later?) and now they play it with their children!
detective miller's hat 2 years ago
My brothers still treat the Pikachu edition Nintendo 64 like it is the most holy of prized possessions.
#25
I’m an only child, my husband is the oldest of 3.
For myself I can say that I have a hard time asking for help and try to be as independent as possible which doesn’t always work to my advantage.
I definitely was around more adults than kids growing up which meant my children were literally the first babies I had ever been around.
For some reason all of my friends (and husband included) eat way faster than me and they like to point that out.
I thrive in my alone time and need a lot of it to “recharge”. But I also hate that I constantly feel lonely even in large groups of people and have never been able to shake that feeling.
I have horrible anxiety about meeting new people, I’ll do it but I’ll almost make myself sick leading up to it because my anxiety gets to out of control.
Being a people pleaser is definitely up there and wanting to feel included.
Stardust she/her 2 years ago
I have a sibling yet I do a lot of this stuff (excluding having babies of course)
Line Hampen Olsen 2 years ago
Same😁 and I am the youngest of 3… social anxiety and general loneliness hits anybody regardless unfortunately I think…
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StrangeOne 2 years ago
Single kids don't have the siblings to back us up, or put in a good word for us, nor introduce us to new groups of people. We have to do it all on our own and stand up for ourselves. We also tend to get ganged up on by the kids with siblings. Out in the schoolyard, playing 4 Square with classmates, which was a rarity. I ran backwards to block the ball from escaping, then tripped and fell on my tailbone over a little kid. Didn't know the kid was there. It was an accident. But the kid ended up being a little brother to one of the jerks in my grade. Everyone was yelling at me, telling me how horrible I was because the kid got a little hurt. But the way they were going about it it was as if it was on purpose. Everyone could see it was an accident. My back was scraped up pretty bad. The adrenalin and defense mode was kicking in. I believe I asked if the kid was okay, and he was for the most part. Maybe a scrape. No one asked if I was okay.
Lytse Draak 2 years ago
I never introduced my younger sibling to new people. I had my friends and she had hers.
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Annita Stephanou 2 years ago
Oldest of two. I can relate 100% with all the points, apart form being around babies. Big and tight knitted extended family, so lots of babies throughout my life ne it cousins or their kids.
Poison Ivy/Boo 2 years ago
This resonates with me so much. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like this, even though I'm not an only child. My siblings are much older and I always felt like I never fit in anywhere. Still feel that way now.
Ash Conner 2 years ago
You're introvert. That is ok. But never just do anything just for someone to like you, except being polite. It is ok to do things for others. People are your true friends because you are you. But I understand the feeling left out Part. Siblings and families will always have each other's back. They seem like they're in their own little tribe. They don't accept anybody in like that if they're not in their tribe.
Erica Politica 2 years ago
This sounds like me, and I have a sibling. In my case the same character traits are attributable to my father being an alcoholic. My brother is messed up, too. Finally, I was treated for depression and anxiety with meds, and my crippling social anxiety is gone, I feel comfortable around babies and children, I'm not as focused on pleasing people, and I naturally reach out for help when needed.
Milky Way Cookie 2 years ago
I'm 100% a people pleaser, I have wasted alot of time on things I hate so I make someone I barely know happy, let alone people I know
Kezza 2 years ago
I mostly ate fast coz I was hungry as hell at dinner i got to eat after school if i was lucky but 8f my siblings started first I would ne made yo wait and when it was my turn to cook and eat..."it's too close to dinner (2+ hours away) so no food and they knew this and took REEEALY long even stopping halfway to text or other stuff to take 30min to make a toastie
#26
My bf is an only child and it was his confusion at how I can be mad at my sister (who is also my roommate) one minute and turn around and get ice cream or go see a movie together.
He grew up with a bunch of cousins around his age, but it was the quick turnaround of “I’m so mad at you” to “I wanna hang out, let’s do something.”
Lil Miss Hobbit 2 years ago
This is sisterhood, totally. Like we're fighting in our room while also doing each-others hair for an event we will attend together.
detective miller's hat 2 years ago
It's wild how you can fantasize about throwing your sister out a window, and at the same time be prepared to murder anyone else who would even consider such a thing.
Annita Stephanou 2 years ago
I have a sister and None of us can do that turnaround. In fact we are pros at holding grudges against each other
My O My 2 years ago
I grew up half an only child - got an 8 year younger sibling I don't really like that much. My kids act as OP said above and I always stand there, mouth agape. Usually I was scolding them out two seconds before because, you know, you don't stab your sister in the eye with a lego or sth like that
Johnny Storm 2 years ago
Sister:"I'm so angry with you!!! " Me:"MacD sounds nice. " Sister:"Do I ever told you how handsome you are? "
PlatinumThe8-BitCat 2 years ago
This might actually be me but it really freaks me out when my siblings are angry at one point and then all happy right after, it’s creepy for some reason
#27
A really strong bond with their parents.
I have a brother, but only dated only child women troughout my life, and i noticed that they're tend to be way more "friends" with their parents than siblings does.
It's like my brother were always my partne during childhood/adolescence and to my ex gf, it was her dad or mom.
Owen 2 years ago
As an only child, I can confirm. I am blessed with a great Mum, that is also a great friend, and I talk to her about most things, or ask advice etcetra. I love my Mum.
Kezza 2 years ago (edited)
I love my friends parents coz that exact reason too she gave me greek recipes when I was older and the few times I got to cook I loved it especially the tzatziki sauce.my parents were to enamored with my older siblings then again I got the insulting dehumanizing nickname "pet" by my dad and got yelled at when u Said I don't like being called a domesticated animal and NO IM NOT INTO PET PLAY
Load More Replies... Haywood Jablome 2 years ago
As an only child, I'm way envious of all these only children with 2 parents that loved them
Mmm K 2 years ago (edited)
This one should be much higher on the list because it's definitely one that most only children can relate to. Being that we don't have siblings to build "at-home bonds" with, our parents are our closest go-to. In my case, my mom is one of my closest friends. We talk with each other about almost everything in our lives daily.
Oly-babe 1 year ago
I’m an only child & I always felt like it was my parents against me when I got in trouble or disappointed them as a teen. It felt really lonely, I always wanted a sibling so I could have someone on my side who’s been thru the same s**t as me, especially when my parents were being ridiculous. My parents & I didn’t get along pretty much from age 13 on
Petra-Jade Eisenmann 2 years ago
Completely the opposite for me. I've dated mostly sibling-having partners, and they're all constantly in contact with their parents or siblings.
#28
As an only child I’ve been yelled at by multiple friends for wandering off alone, especially in grocery stores, without telling anyone where I’m going. And also my automatic “backseat of a car” position is legs out across the seats. Idk tho those are the only differences I ever notice
StrangeOne 2 years ago
Very specific and got me thinking. This is probably also why I never found anything alluring about taking a class skiing trips, being surrounded by jerks who would make the whole trip Hell for me, while having to buddy up with someone and deal with that power struggle, and conform to strict curfews and limitations on privacy. No thank you.
Shelley DuVal 2 years ago
One of the difficulties I had at school was like I had a sign on my back that told everyone I was 'different'. I ended up being bullied the entire time I was at school because I couldn't understand their behaviour.
Load More Replies... Lil Miss Hobbit 2 years ago
The grocery store one really gets me. Like where the scud do you think you are going???!!! What if we lose you and can't find you again?
Jill Pulcifer 2 years ago
My husband (one of many) is always trying to find me in the grocery store. I (only one) can find it way faster alone, and find the whole thing a bit maddening. If im out of sight for more than 30 seconds my phone is ringing.
kansasmagic 2 years ago
Why do your friends "yell" at you? Are they responsible for you? In my experience, grocery stores tend to be enclosed, with few entrances, and limited space. It's not like solo climbing the Grand Canyon.
Kasia Taylor 2 years ago
Sit normally in the back seat of cars. Seat belts not designed to work with your legs up in an accident. You WILL mess up your back.
Bekki Sala 2 years ago
My friends and I got walkie talkies so when I wander off on adventures I can be located. It's like an adult leash.
#29
Really unique relationships with parents. They usually have a very rigid idea and perception their parents. For example, I have to call my mom every day or else she’ll worry, or my dad is always right about _____. I guess when you have siblings there’s more diversity in how you perceive your parents and their actions. But with only children they seem to lack that holistic perspective.
Owen 2 years ago
My Dad is infuriatingly often right, and I need to call my Mum once a week, but usually message her most days.
Kimmie 2 years ago
Only child here. I can't stand my parents and have cut them out of my life, to my great benefit. Lovingly close with parents ( whether a single or not), depends largely on whether or not those parents are worthy of BEING parents
Load More Replies... Tyranamar Seuss 2 years ago
This is an interesting take. I had a female friend, only child. Everything was - "I like X. My mom likes it. My dad likes it. And I like it too." It was like girl- do you have any of your own opinions? Makes sense now.
Terri Landry 2 years ago
I think it's because parents of only children have just one personality to accommodate. Parents of siblings have to make allowances for multiple personalities. I once said to my mother that she didn't treat me the same as my sisters. This was before I had children, She looked at me like I had 2 heads and said, " Of course I treated each of you differently, you're all very different people. You needed different things from me than they did." I think that and sharing time with them is why siblings don't have that same connection.
Brandi Thomas-Scott 2 years ago
This all depends on what kind of parent you have. I am a parent of an only child and I do my best to make sure she's independent and that she has the autonomy to be herself. She has friends where she gets different perspectives and her father and I also share different perspectives for each other. But we also foster her ability to have her own perspective on things. I'm also a therapist so the way I raised my daughter was very intentional. Especially if someone who wasn't only child for 6 years before my sisters were born. I believe in raising the child you have and not the one you want which is something that a lot of parents don't do.
Steve Robert 2 years ago
My daughter got me a mug for my birthday that simply says " Dad, you were right....."
#30
If he keeps getting calls asking him about his whereabouts when he is out
Aedonia Nightsong 2 years ago
Overbearing parents. Usually happens with an only child
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Eledore Massis 2 years ago
Best way to *fix* your mother of that is do the reverse. Call her, call landline, mobile phone, call dad, drive home worried, yell and don't stay for dinner.. had that mom behaviour destroyed in a year. Now only get calls when she is nearby for a visit and next day reply texts is ok.. some friends I got however have glued on parents. :(
What do you think ?
Marco Richter 2 years ago
That's an introvert vs extrovert list. This has nothing to do with siblings or not.
Ash Conner 2 years ago
I am naturally an extrovert. If it wasn't due to me being an only child I would never have NY introverted habits
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Ellie Hope 2 years ago
Most of these examples are silly, I'm one of 3 sisters and nearly all of these I can relate to.
Nice Beast Ludo 2 years ago
Me too..and one of 3 sisters. I always want my privacy, love being alone, have lots of treasures saved from childhood
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Line Hampen Olsen 2 years ago
I think most of this is down to personalety…as a sibling of 3 I recongnize a lot of this..I know a lot of only children and non of them are alike.. the independence maybe and the wanting siblings but many of them are very good at keeping their friends close…
Cooking Panda 2 years ago
Yes. An only child here. We're usually not good at sharing, independent, & very private. Bearing the family burden alone, especially as our parents get older or sick is exhausting. You can't fail, you have to take care of everything, etc. But despite all of these, we always get sh*t done. Don't ask how
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
Funnily enough, in most families where there is more than one child, there is usually one that gets s**t done. It might be the eldest in a lot of instances.
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Delta Dawn 2 years ago
They get lots of money from older relatives on holidays and birthdays! And they can have a harder time figuring out how to get along in a group of peers. One-on-one friendships come easier. My spouse also has a hard time being casually touched in a playful way - he never had that experience as a child. And he often doesn’t understand when people are just ribbing him or play-fighting. He takes it more seriously than people with sibs who grew up with that kind of playful interaction.
Brocken Blue 2 years ago
Ha! Or you don’t get jack shït from older relatives because your family culture is deeply disinterested in catering to the one person under the age of 40 in the room. Ask me how I know LOL. Agreed on the lower tolerance for play fighting/ shït-talking though, especially when playing video games. I don’t understand why people find it fun to be jerks 🤷
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Marco Richter 2 years ago
That's an introvert vs extrovert list. This has nothing to do with siblings or not.
Ash Conner 2 years ago
I am naturally an extrovert. If it wasn't due to me being an only child I would never have NY introverted habits
Load More Replies... Ellie Hope 2 years ago
Most of these examples are silly, I'm one of 3 sisters and nearly all of these I can relate to.
Nice Beast Ludo 2 years ago
Me too..and one of 3 sisters. I always want my privacy, love being alone, have lots of treasures saved from childhood
Load More Replies... Line Hampen Olsen 2 years ago
I think most of this is down to personalety…as a sibling of 3 I recongnize a lot of this..I know a lot of only children and non of them are alike.. the independence maybe and the wanting siblings but many of them are very good at keeping their friends close…
Cooking Panda 2 years ago
Yes. An only child here. We're usually not good at sharing, independent, & very private. Bearing the family burden alone, especially as our parents get older or sick is exhausting. You can't fail, you have to take care of everything, etc. But despite all of these, we always get sh*t done. Don't ask how
Ren Karlej 2 years ago
Funnily enough, in most families where there is more than one child, there is usually one that gets s**t done. It might be the eldest in a lot of instances.
Load More Replies... Delta Dawn 2 years ago
They get lots of money from older relatives on holidays and birthdays! And they can have a harder time figuring out how to get along in a group of peers. One-on-one friendships come easier. My spouse also has a hard time being casually touched in a playful way - he never had that experience as a child. And he often doesn’t understand when people are just ribbing him or play-fighting. He takes it more seriously than people with sibs who grew up with that kind of playful interaction.
Brocken Blue 2 years ago
Ha! Or you don’t get jack shït from older relatives because your family culture is deeply disinterested in catering to the one person under the age of 40 in the room. Ask me how I know LOL. Agreed on the lower tolerance for play fighting/ shït-talking though, especially when playing video games. I don’t understand why people find it fun to be jerks 🤷
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