How Being an Only Child Influences Personal Development - Ross Floate

[@ladyflora845]

I enjoy my own company. I never felt lonely. I like my life this way only. I am happy that I'm a single child.

[@BlackJeepConvertible]

Loser

[@aab350z]

Same. Life is easier and more peaceful when you're alone.

[@treoneil7333]

Being independent, you really get to see through the bullshit of big group organizations by seeing past the group think. It’s also part of the reason why I didn’t join your fraternity when I was in college because of the ridiculousness of the process 😂 ... And, there's a point to this - a lesson, if you will. There're other organizations out there. And, in time, I'm sure they're going to spoon-feed you their own patented form of bullshit. Ignore the verbage and look at what they're doing. What they're asking you to do. What sort of world they'd have you build and how they're going to pay for it ... ... And at the end of the day you'll need to make a choice. Make it the right one.

[@l2i8am43]

[@dorianoddi3452]

Why don’t we talk about the loneliness that comes from being an only child, the family vacations with just your parents and the deep relationship you can have with a sibling that is unlike any best friend? I regret being the only child. Every child deserves to grow up with a sibling. Sure you can often have friends over but it isn’t the same as sharing a childhood with a brother or sister.

[@captureyourflag]

Thanks for sharing. Being an only child has pros and cons for sure. Friendships are important and yes there is a distinction between friend and family, but as an only child I’ve also found friendships can be very deep and nourishing in the toughest moments and complement family nicely.

[@Valep400]

This is super true it feels weird beeing on vacations with only your patenta because you see other childrens with brother or cousins and you feel lonely

[@dorianoddi3452]

@@Valep400 that’s so true

[@butterflymoon6368]

That's not true for everyone, though.

[@tinytomas3773]

I wish it was that easy, with the way it's so hard to find a stable partner who will be there for the kid even when I break up sad reality

[@SharonPorts]

I had a boss that told me that I took responsibility for my actions even when the outcome wasn't good. No one else to blame...

[@krishnabag3804]

I am an Only child too and I am extremely happy and Proud of it 😁

[@nataliemccranie5135]

well you’re probaly the most annoying person ever 😂😂😂

[@Sanatani530]

Keep it up 👍

[@obwessed]

You know, I’m still an Only Child going to school until this day. However, all these stereotypes pains me to think about. The amount of times people responded to me telling me I’m lucky, that I could “do whatever I want”, or “have a great relationship with my parents” is probably all my life. My parents haven’t known how to raise me and in a way I do feel like I have a responsibility to live out life with the most perfect life possible. The amount of anxiety and social isolation I have is crazy. I never had that sibling to support me or talk to me. I only had my parents and they really over-care which makes me always afraid of messing up. Especially since all their attention is focused on me. The only people I can really laugh with is my friends. But it’s not the same as sibling love. I only see them at school. So, next time you have a only child friend, please don’t ask or think of the stereotypes.

[@elizabethudofia9918]

It’s tough out here an everything we do, every instinct we have is peaked because we have that pressure to be good at whatever it is. The worst competition is competing with yourself. With emotions we see others as dramatic but when we breakdown we breakdown so hard it’s pitiful to watch. We cherish our friends a lot and talk to ourselves like if I had a brother, what advice will he give me? You have to play sibling role to yourself and that’s crazy

[@Wario_B]

Nice knowing I’m not the only one then

[@JokersNtheOddball]

You know a large amount of us grew up raised by one parent, maybe visiting with the other. We got a pretty raw deal, parents who hated each other our whole lives. Makes you harder and maybe more compassionate. Depending.

[@mistrylyra5848]

My 6 year old is the only child and I can see how this is shaping her personality and her behavior around other kids. She asks me every week for a sibling like I can order one off Amazon. I feel so bad

[@DifficultyVR]

I feel bad also! My son asks all the time but I feel selfish for NOT WANTING ANOTHER One. I just feel like I have to … he is 6 I’m 28 so I have to be quick lol so I can be free again by 40😂

[@mistrylyra5848]

@@DifficultyVR Exactly! I’ll be 28 in august so we are in the same boat. I’ve been doing a lot of research on fostering kids 0-7 and if I get approved, she’ll have many siblings throughout her life and we’ll get to help so many kids in the process.

[@DifficultyVR]

@@SVLOGGERTHESHUBHAMDAS if I am the way you describe that is exactly why I shouldn’t have another child lol. Children shouldn’t be brought into the world by people that don’t want them. That’s how and why children are in foster care and are treated very badly; because the parents had no business having them. I love my son and he is living his best life BECAUSE I CARE. However, another child should be brought in when it is 100% what I want. So they can be LOVED PROPERLY! 😁😊

[@domaniqueh2880]

@@SVLOGGERTHESHUBHAMDAS how do you know no one can replace a brother or sister if you don’t have one? Stop projecting your feelings onto someone else. I understand you disliked being an only child,I’m sorry but that’s not the case for everyone. So, don’t make it seem like it is. YOUR story isn’t EVERYONES story. And will you all PLEASE stop acting as if having siblings means built in elderly care for the parents and forever best friend for the living child. We all know that OFTEN the responsibility of elderly parents tend to fall on one of the children. This is practically the case for every sibling group I know. I actually feel bad for them because they EXPECTED help. Also, being blood related DOES NOT mean they’ll be close or enjoy each others company. Y’all do realize the other sibling/ siblings could die early on and the other ends up growing as an only child anyway right? I’m an only child and I lost my mom a few days before Mother’s Day. I am healing because I lost my best friend and mother all in one. However, life isn’t over! Not once have I sat there there thinking “omg, my mom is gone and my dad is dead to me so I’m just here alone.” My mother was very present, and by no means was my childhood easy (alcoholic father), yet I don’t feel bad for being an only child. I don’t know if it’s the way my mother raised me or what but so many of you ran to this post to cry about being an only child as if a sibling was going to promise you something, it doesn’t. Stop looking for someone to save you, your parents were supposed to parent. That’s got nothing to do with additional children. I’ve seen some comments where people complained about their childhood and how miserable their parents made it, then said they wish they weren’t the only Child. Wait, so wish someone else was born into the same shitty situation? Talk About selfish. Listen, if you only want or can have one child, THATS IT! There’s nothing wrong with it. Love on your child! There are other important relationships and blood isn’t the only thing that makes you family. The only reason someone should have additional children is because THEY want to.

[@Sanatani530]

@@domaniqueh2880 damn good explanation… that’s so true.. giving birth to another child just to support the previous one is stupidity.. that means second child is nothing ??

[@amethyst0285]

Only kids represent!!! Don't forget about taking care of your elderly parents, homework, etc...

[@nataliemccranie5135]

but you’re annoying af tho

[@popo-cz6fh]

I'm an only child and proud of it.

[@AP-th8ry]

I am an only nad totally not proud of it. My both parents were disfunctional and being the only person in the family to stand their insecurities has been a burden.

[@metcaelfe]

And how do you cope with a partner?

[@AP-th8ry]

@@metcaelfe My relationship is absolutely fantastic, but I went through a full therapeutic programm and due to that I am able to function normally in the relationships and society.

[@metcaelfe]

@@AP-th8ry fascinating, thank you for taking the time to reply, glad to hear you're doing well

[@carlaelsi2203]

Your crazy

[@frozenolives6745]

I think im kind of an entitled only child but its because my friends would always leave me out of stuff and there was no one to help me and my parents were kind of disfunctional and didnt know how to raise me and i always felt like people were talking behind my back and whenever we were doing a game with pairs no one would come up to me not to mention i had bad social skills so i grew up to dislike people in general.

[@nataliemccranie5135]

well you’re annoying to me

[@frozenolives6745]

@@nataliemccranie5135 💀💀

[@ellomello1571]

Being an only child just doesn’t feel natural. It always feels like a piece is missing, even when you are satisfied with life.

[@Etherion956]

With sibling thó

[@ladyflora845]

I don't understand why most of the single child suffer this feeling.. whereas , luckily I don't get such feelings. even after being a single child.

[@bobaandcats]

Exactly

[@jasonsingh3203]

@@ladyflora845 did you grow up with pets?

[@DomonikLawrence]

imagine feeling like this and having siblines😂

[@charleskoerkel4312]

Im soooo dam happy i was a only child, THANK GOD!! so many people with brothers n sisters DO NOT get along and create alot of stress for each other,

[@anarchycoww9019]

Oh my god I’d never thought of this but this is almost exactly who I am and my childhood Also only children talk about their parents more than people with siblings. Haha

[@pratyush755]

How mny are here born inbtween only 1990-2000 are the only child of their parents..

[@metcaelfe]

This is a little bit self indulgent, but it's meant to be. There is more to gain from growth that has come about learning to sit out one in a while or come second, that in a family dynamic is not learnt so much. Manifesting as an adult with codependency issues that can conflict with someone who has these pathways. Living it now myself, seeing it more and more with further counselling

[@bobaandcats]

This might sound strange, but whenever people say “We get in arguments all the time” or “they’re so annoying” the argument I kind of crave. It’s nice to see a community of people just like me instead of hearing all the complaints or why I’m so lucky to be an only child. It feels like there’s a piece missing. Sure you may have to share, but you’re never alone.

[@caitlynssssss]

I totally get this because your friends never understand

[@Pritha879]

I had two siblings.. still have lots of codependency issues and am not really that close to them once I was 14 15 years old. So maybe having a sibling is beneficial only when you are a child. Also it depends a lot on the equation between the parents.

[@Sanatani530]

So true.. same here

[@tereza2271]

Exactly

[@apebass2215]

My brother is my closest friend in adulthood. My husband also recently lost his sister, he was more upset by her death than he was when his parents died as he had a better relationship with her than he did with them.

[@Pritha879]

​@@apebass2215exactly.. so the answer is it depends... Sometimes u r close to your siblings .. some people are not .. if siblings stay in different continents ... Noone really is that close ..

[@michellebogenschutz9544]

We only children often make our friends our family. It's not the same for them, though. They don't realize how much it hurts when they seem to chuck you overboard after 32 years

[@Preezy315]

#onlychildgang💯

[@rarevhsvault9975]

I am an Only child and raised by a single mother. Parents divorced when i was 9. Not only did i have to deal with the fact i had no siblings i didnt grow up with a father either. Very depressing childhood. Now at age 34 i am divorced myself. A future where i will remain alone seems likely and very frightening too.

[@GroteSpeler-2024]

I’m an only child as someone who moved 12 times growing up i gotta be honest and i really hated my childhood because of those 2 things always felt like an alien

[@dxfault]

people always say to me ‘omg you’re so lucky’ or ‘siblings are so annoying why would you want them?’ but they don’t know how lonely it is. the things I would do for a sibling

[@GTwilight]

Being an only child is a curse.. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. 💔

[@ellie-tk4jy]

depends on what your parents are like. looking after them is a burden for adult only children.

[@harrytylerr]

lol stfu, I’m an only child, brought up by wealthy parents and I couldn’t ask for anything more. Having a sibling would be hell because everything would be shared, and there’s always arguing. NO thank you

[@GTwilight]

@@i_c_e_555 speak for yourself my friend 😆

[@OliveMule]

@@harrytylerr hey I would have fully back you up in my 20s. I'm 35 now and the OP is right. Its badddd once 35+ rolls around. EVERYONE becomes emotional and since they're old they value being cunning ( only children are the WORST at being cunning) so I'm not going to b.s. you, it gets confusing

[@normadesmond6017]

Agree. Onze child here too. Hated it when I was a child on still hating at now that I m nearly 60. When your parents die, you are really the only one left. And that s a hurt that will never leave you.

[@lunatico981]

I am 42 and my brother is 33. We never hang out together. Family lunch on Sundays sometimes, exchange few words and thats it. We were always two separate planets with two opposite takes on life and we never talked anything deeper than weather or sports. I am an artist and he is officer in military. we don't even look alike. I am 100% grandfather on mother side and he is 100% grandfather on father side. so basically feels like both of us are single children from a same parents. really weird especially that we never had any fight or disagree since when we were kids. now I have one kid but also divorced from his mom so I believe he will stay single child. even having my case as an example, I am still sad he doesn't have a brother or sister.

[@rodricksage5963]

does are the eyes of someone, only hate got them this far, i know i have them. one thing is losing a loved one, another thing is being in the gutter and having to be an ally to yourself to not eat that bullet. only pure unadulterated hate can give you the will to crawl.

[@MrSucc-fp7rt]

I'm an only child and I'm depressed.

[@vousmevoyez_6094]

me too

[@Etherion956]

Sonic profile picture huh?

[@l2i8am43]

[@shadrach6299]

I dated an only child and was married to another one. They were awful! But I think it had to do with poor parenting. I was an only child for 8 1/2 years and I’m nothing like them.

[@mariahyohannes]

What didn't you like?

[@LevvyJFoxxy]

0:30 I'd be so unnerved looking at that, rrlax your face dude 😂😂

[@superbanKrobber]

I am 48 years old and an only child. Never wished for siblings. I have a 2 1/2 year old, beautiful loving wife. No regrets. I’m a practicing stoic and this I will pass to my son. If an event distresses you is not the event itself that troubles you but your judgment about it. It is YOU who chooses how to feel about being an only child.

[@c.antoinehill100]

Im just trying to figure out do having cousins count. 🤔.... Cousins are looked over and underestimated.

[@poliscigirlie]

Very true! I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, but since 2 of my cousins are within the same age group as I- I’m more closer with my cousins than I am with my siblings. I have good relationships with my siblings and love them very much but if I I were an only child, I would be OK if I only had my cousins

[@mikeelward6567]

it made me a local- i remember when i first understood what college was and thought what! people go to different states and leave their parents alone to go to school? it was absurd to me- ended up at local schools etc it never mattered because i never felt leaving to go away was a real option- other than that the benefits were many although once both parents are i gone a feel like it will be weird

[@mexilicious]

I'm an only child & feel all the pressures of responsibility! That is all!

[@akimaleza]

How do you cope with being an only child and your parents and relatives don't care about you?

[@meamverysmart]

I bet your sibling wouldn't appreciate you saying that

[@terzofan55]

I would of loved to be an only child because my big brother always picked on me a lot growing up when we were kids in the 90s and 2000s my life would of been better if I did not have any siblings during that time in my childhood years

[@premahallikeri4831]

Iam an only child. But my mother was not my real mother. My biological mother was different.

[@margaretbatson83]

Being only child sucks!

[@sarahkennel6751]

Even with scarily overloving and annoying parents, being adopted and an only child is a horrible childhood. I’m very alone all the time.

[@SAYA.SAMA7]

but one walk that make u strong is walk alone.

[@sannimcable]

They are big kids

[@ellie-tk4jy]

nope

[@RabiulHasanSani]

I feel sense of over independent being an only child. has some ego.

[@malikialgeriankabyleswag4200]

Yeah whatever mate

[@karansapate6197]

I'm an Only child 😅

[@vousmevoyez_6094]

I'm an only child and I also don't have a father. what a curse

[@axlexgreasejensen9089]

The blonde dudes smile is so off putting

[@lavonnealexander6936]

😂😂😂