Being an only-child!

I am the only child to my parents and did not have cousins for a very long time. Hence I have been the center of attraction in the family for a long time now. As opposed to some theories I never felt lonely - I was blessed with some good friends in every stage of my life (until I decided who my best friends were for life!). I very well knew how to keep myself occupied through reading and playing games with friends. And if friends were busy I had some games that I would exclusively play myself alone. In fact I enjoyed the space once in a while and never got bored. I would read aloud to myself, do some role-plays, etc :)

I had also developed the only child syndrome something I couldn’t escape - I always did what "I" wanted. No one ever questioned or stopped me. But I did not realize this until my adolescence when my mom started putting a bit of restrictions. But my parents were lucky that they had a rational child who was a bit level-headed for that age and didn’t do anything majorly stupid as a kid ;) Another characteristic was that I had developed a bit of an ego and I was somewhat of a cry-baby typically when things did not go the way I expected I would burst into tears. I wasn’t demanding at all I was friendly and never bossed around with other kids as much but yes sometimes I did get hurt (sometimes equals bit more often than other kids!) it was very easy to come back home and express it - cry! I guess since I did not have siblings and didn’t face any basic healthy competition or differences at home I had become a sensitive and emotional being. Interestingly, as quickly as I would get hurt by someone or something I would also bounce back that quickly though.

Another characteristic I developed I believe is partly because of being an only child is me being a girly-girl! Now this is something I am proud of ;) I was never treated as a boy of the house, basically as far as I know at a young age if you have more than two kids the older kid is always got to be more responsible and be the boy of the house whether you’re a girl or guy, but I was always treated and seen as a lady!

Since a kid I always had a room to myself and never had to share the bedroom with anyone. With it came the need to have the room only to myself. I would hate if anyone would enter my room when I am not at home or go through my things even in my presence. It was just books, clothes etc no big deal but it would really irritate me ...! I never really kept my room unkempt as such but I just wanted some things to be exactly the way they were! :)

Interestingly for me during my adolescence my mom substituted the role of a sibling for me and made it interesting for example we used to argue, fight, enjoy non stop chatting and gossiping and so on. But yes the dependence on friends was always there. But well all of us whether as an only child or not need that friendship outside home so I don’t think its any different being an only child.

The reason I am recollecting characteristics of being an only child is due to my current role as a homemaker. Today as a homemaker I am actually enjoying sometime alone at home I am reminded of those days when I would keep myself occupied alone. Back then and even now people ask me are you not bored being alone at home. But the thing is as much as I like company I also enjoy my space. I wonder if because I am an only child I have developed this importance of "need my space" thing but I guess every normal human being has the same urge isnt it? It is also interesting that some of the other characteristics still exist although less pronounced and in a very subtle way!