Being an Only Child! //
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- Опубліковано 19 лис 2015
- Being the only doesn’t necessarily make you lonely.
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I think the most difficult part about being an only child is knowing one day when I lose my mom and dad I'm going to be the only person losing a parent. And I won't have anyone else to find comfort and relate with...
this is the biggest con of being an only child
+Alexis B that's the scariest part for me as well, so good to read these comments and relate
That day I will wanna have kids or tons of cats 😂😂
That is my biggest fear. I feel ya
Me too
Yay only children!!!!!! Although I wish I had siblings...
you don't even want a slibling I have a older brothers and he's sometimes a ass and sometimes nices hard to think/say
+Kenneth basaez oh no :(. I'm sorry to hear that. I think there are pros and cons to each. Growing up I was pretty lonely and most of my friends had siblings to play with. Now that I'm older and have to take care of my parents it would be great to have a sibling to share that responsibility with and speak to. But of course not every sibling participates or gets along! For sure it depends.
+Ashley Em same I think it has affected me by making me socially awkward bc I find it very hard to talk to other teens my age
I've always wished to have a sibling!
+Ashley Em I agree! I didn't really care when I was younger, but now as I get into adulthood I wish I had some siblings.
i'm sad i'm an only child because i'll never get to be an aunt :(
Jane, you can be an aunt to your cousins' kids.
+Christine Le yes there is always that. but it's not the same as being a "direct/1st" aunt
+Jane Shon You can be an aunt in you get married and your husband has siblings. I am an only child and have 2 nephews.
+Jane Shon what it sucks that my kids won't have aunts, I have 3 aunts that i love so much and my relationship with them is really good. It sucks that my kids won't experience that.
I'm planning to be an "aunt" to my cousins and best friend when they have children :)
I'm an only child and I think people with siblings think that we are spoiled but the truth is that we have our own bedroom, bathroom, etc., because we have no one to share it with. I wish I had a younger brother...
+Carly Krupp same I wish I had someone to share my things with, it gets really lonely on my own
I feel like only children are not neceasarily more spoiled, actually I have experienced many times that only children willingly share a lot more, because they don't have to all the time whereas children with siblings have to share all the time and therefore don't want to do it if they don't have to.. obviously doesn't apply to everyone but that's what I have observed throughout my childhood and babysitting many years..
LindaKatharina yes I agree I love to share things with other people. If I have a bag of chips or something I will share them with the people around me
YES OMG IT'S SO ANNOYING EVERYONE THINKS I'M SPOILED
I never had my own bathroom '-'
Only child 🙋🏼 totally agree with this vid
Totally!
Same here🙋
sameee🙋
Me too! The struggle is real when trying to play board games😂
+Amanda Chambers I Remeber playing vid games and it would be multi player and I'd plug in all 4 controllers and be differ players lol 😂 #onlychildprobs
I think being an only child can have it's negatives and positives. But can also depend on the child and his or her personality!
When I was little, I HATED being an only child. I would beg my mom to give me a little brother or sister. My friends would always tell me, "OMG you're so lucky! My sibling(s) is SOOOO annoying!!" However, since then, I've become grateful for being an only child. I'd go to my friend's house, and see them fighting and yelling at their sibling constantly, so I'm glad I don't have to do that :P
Oh so u used to hate being the only child? But not anymore right???
I'm an only child and tbh I never wanted any siblings and I still don't, being an only child is amazing.
Same.
I agree. Yet at the same time, as I reached and passed the age of 18, I really noticed how alone and lonely I have been for so many years.
During my teens it hit me the worst. I had to learn to really appreciate my own company. At age 20 I’m still learning, but I am a bit better than I used to be at 16.
Same
Being an only child is lovely ❤
annie, good point. Being an only child is great.
People with siblings are so lucky, but abuse it so much. They waste such a relationship and that no one else can have with you and turn it into hate. They should cherish their sibling(s) more.
Flare I understand why u would feel that and I guess I’m somewhat happy I have siblings. But siblings fight and act like they hate eachother. That’s just how the sibling relationship works. And yea deep down me and my brothers love eachother, but cherishing every moment with eachother is just not really possible. we’re not really wasting our relationship tho cuz a sibling relationship isn’t like a friendship. But like I totally see what your trying to say.
Nah, my brother is an asshole
mack, people who are only children are so lucky, but they abuse it and complain so much. They waste their life complaining instead of being thankful and turn it into hate. Only children should cherish being an only child and stop the self-hate.
I'm an only child. I understand ALL of these things
I'm an only child and when i was around 5 or 6 i started to understand that one day my mom would die ( i do not have a dad) and so i started trying to make things on my own, like washing dishes, so she wouldn't be so worried about me not knowing how to live on my own when i grew up... i still believe it's a good thing to be an only child cause i've learnt how to be peaceful when i'm alone instead of being scared or feeling lonely
I have always loved being an only child. I learned who I am and I matured very early because I have always only been around adults. It's great.
Growing up as an only child, I relate to this on a spiritual level. I remember finding kids extremely annoying in elementary school. I would isolate myself without realizing because I was never bored at home. I was so used to spending time by myself and in my head that I did not see the need of socializing. It is funny because I'm now in my twenties and to this day, most of my friends are several years older than me. Being always surrounded by adults has apparently left its mark.
Sammeeee
That’s how I felt but as you grow up you find friends who likes you for who you are and you meet new people as you grow up. But sometimes we do not see it because we are thinking a lot
I am the only child, and being a kid I didn't want any siblings, but as I'm getting older and seeing all these sibling relationships, I really regret I can't have such close and understanding people around me.
I'm an only child, and I agree with everything in this video bc it's exactly how I grew up except that I don't necessarily feel like I missed out on anything.
I'm not an only child, however my brothers are 10 years older than I am. Sometimes I feel like an only child because we didn't necessarily grow up together. I don't really know my oldest brother very well. I can count the number of times I've seen him since I was eight(I'm 25 now) on one hand. My middlechild brother hated me until he became an adult and went out into the world. I feel closer to him because he calls me once a month. I don't feel like I can accurately describe what it's like to have a sibling.
+Sky Pelham One day, hopefully we'll all get to spend some time together. I feel like I'll only get to spend quality time with my middlechild brother. It's not that there's anything wrong with the oldest but I feel like even though he's my brother, he's also sort of a stranger in a way.
+Sky Pelham I absolutely understand how you feel. My sister is 11 years older than I am. I remember her going off to uni when I was only 6 and I never got to know her very well which, makes me feel like an only child.
It's nice to find someone who can relate. I haven't met many people who understand. It's nice to meet you.
It's great to meet you too:)
+Sky Pelham it's the same with me but it alternates, like sometimes i see them all the time and they stay at home for months at a time, and other times they live elsewhere and it's just me for a while. So i think i can relate to both only child living and having siblings. I pretty much identify with ingrid's experiences, as well as what other people say about having siblings.
my favorite video so far. I am also an only child. I wouldnt have changed how i grew up. Being an only child gave me a different prospective in life then the people i know who have siblings.
+Lisette Ramirez I find it interesting when you say that it gave you a different perspective. I agree that you probably have a different perspective than myself (i have a brother). Do you think that your perspective as improved your life? Having a brother taught me how to share, cooperate, nuture, be friends, love, care, listen, and understanding. All of which added to my persective. I always have someone there.
+WhaleTank For me, I learned most of these things sort of through my parents. I think my parents in a way were a substitute for having a sibling. However, that may depend on the type of relationship people have with their parents, which may also be a reason that one's perspective on life may be different. But that is just my perspective on this situation of course :)
sparklyxcrystal that makes sense
@@WhaleTank , you don't need a brother to learn how to share, cooperate, nuture, be friends, love, care, listen and understand. It's just instinct for some people and how your parents raise you. Plus, you can share with your parents, cousins, friends, pets, etc. And siblings will not always be there. Siblings become estranged and can die.
@@WhaleTank , you don't need a brother to teach you how to share, cooperate, nurture, be friends, love, care, listen, and understand. For many people, it's common sense or your parents teach you those things. You can also learn those things from cousins, pets, friends, aunts, uncles and grandparents.
I'm an only child but it's funny how our circumstances can be so different! I get angry very easily at anyone because it was my way of bringing out anger since I had no siblings. But I definitely became creative in ways of dealing with boredom, 13hr plane ride? No problem! I remember in church I can sit there for hours just thinking of scenarios in my head.
+Leena Balanag haha that was me too! I really hated going to church and I used to just zone out for the whole hour.
I do the same thing. I doze off into my own world in my head. It's amazing!! My friends can never sit still, they don't know what to do with themselves after being alone or not being able to interact with people.
Leena Balanag, please do not stereotype only children. You getting angry very easily has nothing to do with not having siblings.
OH my goodness, Ingrid, thank you for this video. I too am an only child, and for almost my whole life the only grandchild on both sides of the family. So I didn't even have first cousins until I was 17. This video helped me realize things I've never related to being an only child about myself. I completely agree with learning to be alone but not lonely, the maturity, being afraid of conflict (this one is huge), and easily spacing out. However in my experience, I have never felt socially isolated or truly missed having siblings. On the contrary, the way my mother raised me enabled me to relate and empathize with others, almost to an extreme. Being an only child almost feels like being a minority, so thank you for raising this discussion!
I grew up with 3 siblings, and i still have a lot of the cons you have. For one, I CONSTANTLY find myself stuck all up in my mind/thoughts, but I think that is just a part of my introverted personality. In a sense I feel like I developed the pros you mentioned from other situations or experiences, therefore I think people with and without siblings eventually come to the same even playing ground one way or another. (:
I'm an only child! Everything is mine. 😈😈😈
+Pavithra M damn
Except a sibling. ☺
True that!!
+xburningindigo comment of the year 😂😁😂😂😂😂
+Pavithra M That is true...but also realize that when your parents are elderly and need a lot of care..everything also rests on you alone.
I relate to all those things but I'm a middle child.
My sister had her own friends. My younger brother was my adventure buddy until he was old enough to have his own friends...and I was just a weirdo until high school. OK, let's be real. I'm still a weirdo.
I'm an only child and I've always had those qualities, but I never attributed them to being an only child. So relatable. This is amazing!
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING ALL OF MY EMOTIONS INTO WORDS. I've never felt so connected to a video before and this is amazing.
I am an only child as well and one of the biggest things I've noticed is that I love having personal space and hate it when that's taken away from me. As far as I've heard with siblings, especially younger ones it's nearly impossible to get. I've also noticed that I spend a lot more time with my parents than some of my friends who have have siblings. Sometimes I think being an only child has isolated me from people because I have a hard time opening to people and making friends and dealing with loud personalities. Whenever I meet up with my cousins or family friends who have siblings, I see them fight and in a weird way I kind of wish I had that. On the other hand I would probably the most annoying younger sibling and the bossiest older sibling. I also didn't have many birthday parties as a child and I think that's because my parents wanted me to be thankful for what I had so I wouldn't be spoiled. So I guess being an only child has it's own perks but you definitely miss out on a lot.
Interesting, I relate to all your pros and cons, but I have a sister. We are just under 3 years apart and since we had our own rooms we didn't hang out that much at home. I would be reading or playing outside and she would be doing her own thing.
That’s the funny part, is people think they’ll enjoy having a sibling but changes are they won’t. And if u don’t have a sibling u will always think u would like it cuz u haven’t actually experienced it
I honestly feel like you just described my entire childhood and personality. And I feel justified, finally, for my socially awkward demeanour, the fact that I've always felt terrified of criticism, the feeling even now as an adult that I can't possibly confront my peers at work because it is just out of the question for me. And at the same time - I AM an old soul. I read when I was a kid instead of playing outside like I might have done with a sibling. I have this unbreakable bond with my parents that goes further than the standard parent-child relationship; we're friends. Thank you for giving me a summary of myself that I never knew I needed. I love you for a lot of things, and I've watched you for a very long time, but this really, really spoke to me
I think you did a really good job summing up what being an only child is like, at least in my experience. I love that I can spend hours by myself not even talking to anyone and be completely content. But also when I do spend time with others I really cherish it. At this point in my life, being 21, I wouldn't change it because I've learned so much about myself over the years. I was actually really excited when I saw this video because I don't get to hear about being an only child from someone else's perspective that often. Plus it's really fascinating to hear what you thought because it sounds like your life as an only child was so similar to my own. These #5MFU videos are always so insightful and real. Love them!
She reminds me of Maia Mitchell
+Vanessa Lumley now I see it :)
I will never look at her the same.. 😂
She looks like maia Mitchell
Yes! !!
Vanessa Lumley
Anonymous- who the hell is Maia Mitchell?
I'm an only child and I can relate to almost all of this (except my parents kinda spoiled me :/ ). Especially with the 3rd thing you mentioned. I always found it easy to have conversations with adults, while with most kids my age (besides my friends) I'm socially awkward. I never really understood why I couldn't really fit in, even when I wasn't doing or saying anything out of the ordinary. Even someone who is my friend now used to be one of the kids who'd tease me for no reason. Sorry, I'm rambling. Anyway, relatable!
Everything you said about maturity hit so close to home. It was lovely hearing you talking about your experiences
Ingrid! Every single one of these points is SO TRUE speaking as an only child myself. I do think the most significant part of my childhood was the fact that I was constantly surrounded my my parents friends, who were obviously adults. Therefore, like you said, you mature a lot quicker than your friends, something I did notice a lot growing up and I did get really frustrated but then that's when the creativity kicks in. You learn to be on your own cause no one understands you quite yet, so you then play your instruments, read your fantasy novels, play your online American Girl games :P and you learn what inspires you, what you like, what you don't like and that's in relation to yourself and the people who you choose to be around.
I hate when people just assume that only children are selfish 😢
we speak up truth but others think how it is possible .
And get everything we want
It is true to a lot of people but not to all
I don't get literally ever thing I ask for
I can relate to everything you said! From what I can tell based on what you've said here, I had a very similar experience in childhood comparative to yours.
This is beautiful, I'm 15 and an only child, and it is definitely tough. Everyone judges you, they think you are spoiled and a know-it-all and just weird. As a sophomore in high school it's really tough, I'm something of a social outcast and defiantly don't fit in with those around me. I've always been jealous of people who have siblings, and I often wish that I had one because it does get lonely. But what really saddens me is that my children won't have aunts and uncles from my side of the family. Though I sometimes like being on my own, I have promised my self if I have children I will have at least two. But I loved this video, it was very relatable, so thank you for that.
As a fellow only child AND Aquarius, I feel you on all points here :) thank you for sharing your experiences on an often underexposed/appreciated topic! Feels nice to relate!
Having a sibling, (I have 1 older brother), is great really. He annoys the shit out of me most days, but I always know that he'll stick up for me, no matter what. (And it's pretty fun knowing one another's secrets, and using money as a way of black mailing eachother not to tell our mum).
Katie, siblings arent the only ones to stick up for you or know your secrets. Parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, spouses, romantic partners, grandparents, friends, or your children stick up for you and know your secrets.
Very interesting! Sibling relationship is very unique, you can't really compare it to anything fully. Of course people have different relationships but the core feeling of having a sibling is something that is hard to explain!
Anniina, lots of relationships are unique. And every sibling relationship is not the same or good.
I could not have agreed with you anymore! This video completely explained my entire life 👌🏼 the only thing I will say is there have been plenty of times where I feel really lonely, especially as a kid I never had anyone to play with, so that really sparked my imagination and made me look for ways to entertain myself but it would have been even better if I had someone to share my imagination with. One of the biggest struggles I have today is that feeling of guilt when I think about leaving my parents because once I'm gone they'll be alone... And that really scares me because my parents depend on me so much that it's hard to think of me leaving. If anyone else knows this feeling I'd love to hear your side!😌
Thank you for making this video Ingrid! This is so important. I'm an only child too and was able to relate to all of the things you said. Everyone I know has siblings and always complain about them and I always wish I knew what it was like. I've been struggling recently with how being an only child as affected me as I've gotten older, so thank you again for making this video!
I hate being an only child I know how to really harm or beat up someone but I'm scared to do it which is the problem. I'm also alone a lot of you have siblings and hate them don't your lucky to have people around you it sucks being an only child and my parents are too old to have children at this point
I like Tumbleweeds I'm the same way! Thank goodness I'm not the only one
I like Tumbleweeds same i can slap hell out of someone but i am to scared to do it
Why habe people around you is lucky lol
I can relate to this video 100%. Glad to know I wasn't the only one :)
Love this, Ingrid! Every single thing you listed was my experience as well. I do envy my friends with siblings, but I don't think either experience is better or worse. It was just me and my awesome mom growing up, though I saw my dad (equally awesome) a couple times a month. Being alone often as a child means I need the same thing now to function. Always stuck in my head = became a musician and fiction writer as an adult. My imagination is constantly going! Also, definitely wasn't as social as my peers - I was smart enough to attend kindergarten when I was 4/5, but they were worried about me socially since I just interacted with adults all the time. I plan on raising an only child myself one day (because I don't think I can handle multiple kids and L.A. is expensive!) and I want to provide him/her with a bit more interaction with kiddos than I got, while still fostering that sense of independence and creativity I had. :) xo
this video honestly made me feel like relate to you 1000% more than I already did and I agreed with everything you said. I love these 5MFU videos and I'm so glad you make them because it makes me feel less alone. Since most of my friends can't really get my perspective a lot of the time as we were all raised differently with all of them having the same family dynamic and just me having a different upbringing these videos remind me that I'm not as isolated as I feel and that someday I will find others who can relate with me on things like this, as well as other things like being gay or coming from a mixed race family.
Con: Whenever you have a problem you're solving it alone :(
I'm the middle of five and I really cannot imagine being an only child. Having a bunch of siblings is chaotic but it's great :)
the audiobook aficionado, some can't imagine having siblings. Some people feel being an only child is great. You never have to guess which child is the favorite.
I felt really identified with you in this video! It's nice to hear someone talking about this, cause I think even though we (only childs) are minority we share things in comon with each other and it's nice to hear about them! Thankyou so much Ingrid!
Also Ingrid- you are beyond stunning. Lots of love and thanks for constantly sharing positivity and love.
I related to this so much!!
Yeah go team only child!!🙌🙋
Much love my beautiful friend!💖
This is the most relatable video that I've ever watched!!! One of my fav qualities that I've gained from being an only child is that I can easily have conversations with adults which I've been able to do since I was 5. When kids came over to my house, they'd run away from my parents (literally) while I'd sit and chat to their for ages. But it makes me sad that I'll never understand that relationship and what it's like to have a sibling and I wouldn't like to have an only child myself.
There's a lot of common misconceptions about only children, and this video expressed everything I've ever felt about growing up as an only child. It can be difficult to explain the sensitivity and the ability to get stuck in your own head unintentionally but you hit it perfectly.
This was so insightful and interesting!
+Anna-Carolina (coming from someone who has 5 younger siblings) it is sometimes really stressful and loud and stuff but I wouldn't change it for the world
+Anna-Carolina truth! 1 younger and 4 elder siblings.
+Anna-Carolina ya I'm in the same boat as you 😆
I could have swore she said she had a sister in older videos. She said they weren't close though.
+Gianna Gi I was just thinking that!
+Gianna Gi And I swear in a video with Fleur she said she had a brother that had the same birthday as Fleur
yes I was thinking that too. I remember in a very old blog she said she had a half sister! :/ wtf
Maybe she has step or half siblings? #confused
Yeah. I thought I heard her said in one of her old videos or maybe even in a few videos some years back that she had a brother.
I'm an only child too! I definitely agree with a lot of your points! I feel like it made me really independent and now that I'm older I really appreciate it.
I am the oldest of three girls with my middle sister being only 10.5 months younger and my youngest 11 years. Your description of yourself as an older sister is exactly how my relationship with my sister developed. From my earliest memories I just did not like, or was constantly annoyed with my sister and for no real reason other than I wanted to be the only one. I am so thankful for both my siblings now and deeply value the relationship we have cultivated.
I used to play board games on my own 😂 like my right side vs my left side or something.
I will never forgive my parents for leaving me alone. Now that I'm 20 my parents decided to have a new child. Thank you for being 20 years late.
Pollyn Lyubenova, how are you alone? Where are your friends, your spouse, your kids, your cousins, your aunts and uncles?
@@renealexander2703 Lmao who has kids or a spouse when they themself are a kid. Im talking about being alone as a kid. Your aunts and uncles can't replace a brother or a sister.
@@pollynlyubenova8365 , what if your sibling didn't want to play with you, or was too young? What if all you do was fight? What if you are a girl and your brother has no interest in playing dolls with you? Didn't you go to school with other kids? Why couldn't you play with cousins or friends?
Loves this video Ingrid! Everything you talked about are things that I definitely see in myself and how I was growing up as an only child.
I'm so glad I watched this. I really never looked at my life this way before and I couldn't agree more with your pros and cons. I never realized that could be the reason why I do these things. 💜
Kinda relate to all the pros and cons of being a only child. Matches my personality.
But I have an older sister, guess I'm just weird. :P
I AM AN ONLY CHILD TOO!
This resonates so well with me. I never connected the idea that I was afraid of conflict would be caused by this. I always thought I was afraid of it Bc I just couldn't handle it.
I am totally with you on learning how to entertain yourself. I love that about me. I know people who have always had other people their age around them and can never be alone or get bored/impatient easily. The con to that is that I depend on that alone time to keep my sanity so I'm afraid of how I'll be if I ever get married. But we shall see! I loved this video, Ingrid! It's a topic most people don't think to talk about. It's nice to know a fellow only child.
Can we take a moment to your EYEBROWS omg guurl 😍😍😍😍😍
well I'm the middle child so i think i said enough
I know how you feel 😂
I never really understood the hardship of being a middle child. You are the only one who has the best of both worlds, you have a older sibling and a younger sibling. I am the oldest of three. I wish I was a middle child so I could experience what it's like to have it both ways.
my thoughts exactly we might as well be invisible 😂😂
+Mary Hughes that's the problem lol its like you have to listen to the older one because they are older but also give up something you want for the younger one. Then most times its like your the invisible one to your parent cause you aren't the first one or the baby your just the middle kid😂
No matter how old you are youre always the middle one, not the adult and not the baby xx
Only child here too! So glad you're speaking out about this topic. I can relate to so much of what you said, especially being afraid of conflict.
I have an older brother, and it was awesome growing up together (until a certain point, and then it got good again!). He was my play buddy, my person to experience things with. Christmas was always fun because we'd always wake up crazily early and open our stocking pressies together. We would climb trees and play out in the streets and explore! But then teenage years hit, and he went through his rebellious phase and that's when we started to drift. All he wanted was to hang out with his friends and he wanted nothing to do with me, so I relate to quite a few points you talk about in this video! Now we get along fine (thank goodness, no more dead arms!!), and I'm super glad he's in my life, even though it's hard sometimes as he's all the way over on the other side of the world! When we are together though, we do have a good giggle! I wouldn't be the person I am today either if it wasn't for him :) (end essay)
Love u ingrid!!! Kisses from chile :*
Chile? from where?
+Kenneth basaez Chile is a Country btw
+Ana Barbosa (Bibiz) Yay Chile Rocks!! I love Chile!!!
+Kenneth based check a map
I was talking about city's you dumb fuck
Ingrid does have older half-siblings. I guess she doesn't consider them her siblings...kinda sad.
+Brooke Knapp She didn't grow up with them tho, did she? So she was technically living as an only child.
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she wasn't raised around them
And you know that from what video or interview?
I've been watching her videos since she started, she has mentioned it many years ago. They are much older than her through her dad. True she did not grow up with them so I guess it is different.
+Brooke Knapp I also have two older half- siblings, but we never lived together (only one of them lived with us when i was like 1 or 2, so it didnt feel like that sibling relationship. Idk how much older ingrids siblings are, but you know, it's a huge difference living with them and not living with them
I couldn't imagine a life without my brother. I hate him sometimes, but at the end of the day I love him more than I can describe in words. He's the best friend I don't have to worry about loosing.
Only children unite!
I don't know any other only children in my personal life actually, except for my cousin. I pretty much had the same experience growing up as you, except I preferred being around people even in my creative activities, as I was an extrovert. I have noticed that I tended to treat my girlfriends like sisters and as a result, have had the same couple best friends since I was little. I feel like it has really impacted who I choose to be in a relationship with because I like to be w/ people who have really big families that are close to compensate. I def feel the negative side of being an only child more so as I get older, in that I realize how close and special so many sibling bonds are, which makes me feel lonely sometimes.
I grew up as an only child too! Your video, Ingrid, was very relatable. Most people immediately assume that since I grew up as an only child, I must have been spoiled. Truth is, you can see it that way, but I had to learn to earn rewards instead of having anything and everything. Because I had to learn how to earn rewards, I think that translated well when I transitioned into adulthood. Another thing to add is that when I made friends, I loved sharing my stuff with them. I imagined them to be like a sibling even though we weren't related by blood. Furthermore, my close circle of friends had siblings, so I would socialize with those close to my age group, despite living in a household with adults.
Only child as well. I think a lot of times, being an only child is "frowned upon"; people assume that you've had it easy, that you're spoiled, and that you're not very fun to be around because you don't know how to interact with other humans.
I feel like I've grown up to be very socially different from other people and I totally think that a lot of that is because I'm an only child. You do spend a lot of time on your own growing up and now as an adult, I live on my own and very much enjoy my own space because it's where I feel comfortable. The downside of that is that for me, relationships and friendships are incredibly difficult; I just feel relieved when I'm left alone once they've/I've gone home. I feel like it takes a lot of hard work to get to that point where I feel relaxed in the company of others, but once I do find those people, I never want to lose them... It's not very nice to be in your own head and own thoughts constantly, so it's really a balancing act for me between those isolated and social environments. This video so SO clearly explained how I feel about being an only child though!!!!
I love the things Ingrid says. really mature and wise, and I relate a lot. 💜
So happy that you posted this. We only have one child, and my husband and I at times would feel incredibly guilty not having a sibling for our 8 yr. old daughter. We tried but it was just not in the cards for us. I worry about our Emily, but she's been fine so far. It's great seeing a single child at your age, because it gives my husband and I reassurance that she's going to be ok ❤️
Still as an adult I struggle with the pros and cons but I love this video! Thank you! 👍🏼
So interesting to hear what it's like being an only child!
My sister is 12 years older than me so I feel like I got the best of both worlds. Not being around other kids at home meant my imagination did go through the roof and I'm very comfortable being alone. I can also totally relate to the saliva comment since well... I was one of those kids. But then again, I had someone to talk to who, although older, wasn't my parents. I also had someone to take me to the cinema each year to see the latest Disney film when my parents were both too busy, or let santa know I really wanted this toy even though I wouldn't have dared ask anyone for it, and most importantly I had someone incredible to look up to. Not so much relatable at the time, but definitely inspiring. Now we're both (technically) adults, she is my closest friend and the person I love the most. And even though she helped shaping who I am today, I still grew up being my own self and not "someone's sister," if that makes any sense.
Also... #wordvomit
This is so insightful! Thank you for sharing this. I come from a family with a lot of siblings, and we are not close (I’m not close with them and they’re not close with each other - I think this was a result of how my parents treated us and each other). As a result of that, I made the decision to just have one child pretty early on in life. My husband and I just have one child and we’re quite happy. Because I know that my child will have all of our love and attention.
I'm also an only child and I can relate to so much in this video, thx for shareing this much love to you Ingrid💕💕
I'm an only child as well! I always wanted a sibling but I feel like I didn't miss out on much not having one. It's taught me to cherish the relationships I have with people my age because it was very limited in my childhood. I do remember I didn't really like being with kids when I was growing up- I was very shy and didn't know how to react to other kids. I was SOO spoiled and I wish my parents did the no gifts thing like yours did! Now I feel like I've gotten a grip on reality and I prefer so much more now giving to receiving, I need to give back what my parents gave me!
I have a brother that is 4 years younger and still am a lot like you today.. You do not need to be an only child to have few friends, be in your head a lot, and feel isolated. Today I have a few really good friends and many good colleagues at work, a wonderful family and never feel lonely! :)
I'm a super new member to the channel, like this is the first video I've watched because I grew up an only child as well. My dad has sons but I'm my moms only child. It was so weird hearing you talk about the pros and cons because that's exactly what life was like for me when I was younger. This was a really good vid and I can't wait to watch more! Thanks Ingrid!
Lainey Mitchell, if you have brothers, you are not an only child.
I'm an only child and let me tell you I was desperate for years and wanted to have siblings so bad! I would complain to my mom telling her I needed a sibling in my life. Now being 22 years old, it still breaks my heart knowing that I missed out on a lot and that I never got to experience what's it like to have a sibling. To all of you who have sisters and brothers hold on to them so tight because what you have is a blessing!
Having a sibling is just the best thing in the whole world. It's what make your life worth it. The love you feel to then shows you what the life is all about.
My sister and my little brother are 2 the most important people in my world. And with out them It would be just so empty.
I'm am only child as well and I can completely related to this video. one thing that stands out to me is being stuck in my own head a lot of the time. it's taken me a long time time and a lot of growing up to finally get out of it and really appreciate the life and family I have around me. thanks for making this video. I loved it.
I relate so much to what you say in this video! Every point you mention just sounds so familiar!
xx
I have nearly the same experience! especially when it comes to conflict, creativity and maturity. and isolation. basically everything actually.
have a great day everyone whether you're an only child or not!
lots of love.
I had never seen a connection between being an only child and being afraid of conflict, but everything you said resonated with me, thank you for this video :)
Great video, Ingrid!
I do have an older sister und definitely wouldn't mind more siblings.
We've always been pretty close but our relationship has especially grown ever since our dad passed away four years ago. I really feel like that's an important thing not many people think about at a young age- what it's like to lose your parents and not have any siblings to go through that loss together. I would have been a lot worse to cope with everything without my sister and we definitely give each other support and strength.
I am so glad you did this video! You absolutely nailed everything, Ingrid.
When I was little, my family went to visit my boy cousins' house, and I saw the three of them playing together. I later asked my mom for an older brother, not knowing how things worked...heh.
I still think it would have been nice growing up with an older brother, but I definitely appreciate my experience growing up as an only child. =)
its great that you've been able to be independent. I grew up with an older brother and a family that was very affectionate and so that kind of gave me a security blanket. it was a little hard for me to accept that others were not raised the same way and i put too much trust into the wrong people. sometimes I wish it was easier for me to be independent
Exactly. You nailed it! These pros and cons are the results of a study too! I am an only child. Now I don't feel alone and I understand more about why I am who I am :) Thanks!
I'm an only child, and your pros and cons really resonated with me. Especially things like maturity that isolates you socially. I found I got along best with other only children, because we were on eachother's wavelengths in terms of maturity and understanding. I also had a lot of home-schooled friends, both only children and with siblings, and because they spent a lot of time with adults, they were more like me as well.
Yes! I feel very similar things to you about being an only child. People are often surprised to hear that I am an only child because there is a huge association with selfishness and uncompromising qualities. I feel like I went the mature and quietly confident way. I love my own company and am also very creative; two very big parts of who I am today. I loved my childhood as an only child, but as an adult I do wonder if I am missing out on something very special when I don't have a sibling relationship.
You completely hit the nail on the head with the overly sensitive thing! I'm 23 and am an only child as well and whenever someone tells me to correct something especially at work I get all worked up about it! Even if they say nicely I feel like I totally screwed up and I get really upset (internally of course ha).
I can very much relate to your experiences! I do also think that the relationship with your parents is different when you are only child vs having siblings. Not only in the sense that your parents might give you more attention but also because when you are on a family day out or something the only ones you can turn to are your parents. And if I speak of family love, it is that I love my parents and my extended family.
I'm one of five, and I'm still afraid of conflict and am sensitive to criticism from people I love. Very interesting topic! Thanks for sharing!
this video made me realize things about myself that i had never even realized were true! THANK YOU INGRID for being such an incredible human :)