Siblings, ya can’t live with ’em and you can’t live without ’em, er, actually, you can… If you’re an only child you know very well what it’s like to live without siblings. Ah, the peace and quiet…
Are only children lonelier? Do they get more attention? Are divorce rates higher? These are questions you’ll hear asked around at social gatherings or buzzed about online. The answers? If you’re an only child, can you answer those?
Please vote in our poll below and tell us if you are an only child or not. Also, please tell us if you’re an only child of both your parents, but you have step- or half-siblings.
Once you’ve voted, please leave a comment and tell us if you are an only child if you wish you had siblings growing up, and if you weren’t an only child if you wish you could have been (we won’t tell your siblings, we promise).
I am the oldest of 8, 3 brothers and 4 sisters and what a great time we had growing up. Oh, and my Grandmother lived with us too.
Oldest of four, Wife oldest of three
I’m number two of seven. We tolerated each other growing up and 50 years ago I left home after enlisting in the military. Out of my six siblings, one has disappeared, two have died, two don’t communicate (they never said why), one does occasionally. Because of life, distance, and self-interests, we don’t know each other. I’m not complaining, but at almost 72, I like not having to listen to the bickering and drama (I hear enough of it through my brothers-in-law).
I’m the youngest of nine. I guess mom knew perfection once it was concieved!
I’m a Boomer. I’m the oldest of 4 and, growing up, we were always one of the smallest families in our neighborhood. Many times I wished I was an only child 😉
3 brothers. 1 older and 2 younger.
I’m one of six. 3 boys, 3 girls. Two older sisters, one younger, and two younger brothers, (all from the same mother and father).
Although we don’t see each other a lot, we are still close.
I’m an only child. I didn’t think much of it growing up because it was just life. Now, looking back, I can see that my parents gave me more than I would have gotten if I had had siblings. But I’m also now at an age where I sometimes think it would be nice to have a close sibling to chat with now and then. Also, I did not want to have an only child myself. We had two daughters that are 18 months apart in age and are close friends, which I love to see.
I’m an only child. My parents looked at me an said “ahh perfection don’t have to try again”. LOL
Was an only child until I was 14. Then came “hell on wheels” and life hasn’t been the same since.
Only child here and proud OF it. Like some, I sometimes wish I had a brother or sister. That would have been more work for my folks, not me – ha.
One of 8 living. 55 to 82. Oldest passed away 20 yrs ago. Lost 2 at 6 and 1 month. My son is an only child, but he married a wonderful woman who has 6 siblings. Helps my guilt!
I laughed at this one! I know there were times when each of (and there are 10 of us) wished we were an only child. Now we wouldn’t change it for the world!
Beautiful thought — thanks for sharing
I was adopted as a baby and at the age of 33 found my birth parents. I have 2 half brothers born in the same year and 2 half sisters. Considering I was an only child my entire life it was strange being the eldest of 5!
Rather than say I’m an only child, I was raised as an only child or I am the only living child. I had a sister I never knew who had a rare form of muscular dystrophy. She was one month shy of seven when she passed in 1957. I was barely four months old, a difficult pregnancy, and a birth that almost killed my Mother and I. I was reminded every birthday. I never “knew” my Sister but I lived with her existence and the grief my Mother held onto for the rest of her 95 years of life. I was my Father’s child (he was an only child) and raised as a “tomboy.” I was too active, headstrong, and not girly for my Mother. Often as a child I wished that my Sister had lived so my Mother would be happy. All that said, I loved my childhood! I was raised around cousins and extended family so always felt I was never alone and to this day my cousins and I are close. While my Sister was not with me in life, I feel she’s been my Guardian Angel throughout my life.
I have 8 sisters & 6 brothers and grew up with only nine, 6 were lost due to childhood diseases in the 30″s. I have only one sister living (age 93) all others have passed. I am 77. My father was 56 when I was born, my mother was 45. It took my parents a little longer to achieve perfection.
Two older sisters by 3 & 4 years. Always got along. I had a wonderful childhood. We still cherish each other. We’re most fortunate.
Cold Winter nights resulted in two siblings born in September
Do the math. LOL
I’m the oldest of three. My brother, sister, and I fought constantly as children, grew to appreciate each other as teens, and are so thankful for each other now as older adults.
I have a younger brother. Don’t get e started on what I think about him.
I should of marked yes. My other sibling and I never got along. Mommy and daddy’s boy. I have an adopted brother. We actually adopted each other in the military then around age 30 and we are still close. Hunt, fish, camp, best man at wedding. We’ve done everything brothers I think should do. Now as we grow older I wish he was living closer.
I was the first born, the experimental baby, you know where parents experiment with being parents. Like when my new mother pinned my diaper to my side and then couldn’t figure out why I was screaming and wouldn’t stop crying. Yes it really happened.
Sitting in my brother’s Missouri home right now with our Wisconsin RV in the drive. Older sister passed in 2015. Visited younger sister this morning. Was at niece’s Tues. night. Will be at a cousin’s next two nights. All 1960s classes have reunion Sat. night. Short visit with more cousins and only living aunt (no more uncles). Then a couple of weeks of roaming around the country before returning home. This is what makes these years golden!