The OCS - Only Child Syndrome

People make a lot of snap judgments. If you're blonde, you're dumb. If you're fat, you're lazy. If you're an only child... you must be spoiled.

As an only child, I can say with a lot of confidence, nothing could be more false. There are benefits to be sure. When I was younger and mom and dad would ask, "Where should we go to eat?" I had no sibling arguing with me over 'Pizza Hut vs. Subway.' I said Subway, and we went there, unless dad wanted Burger King... It's true that my parents had one kid to buy for at Christmas. That was nice, but it didn't mean I had a pile of presents 6 feet tall. I never got a pony and for that matter I never expected one.

When I was 12, I wanted a TV in my room so I could watch Disney movies. I saved babysitting money for 11 months until I could buy a 13 inch Sylvania with VCR attached. And that sucker lasted me until just a few weeks ago (at which point, it was so old most video looked blue and the tracking was off...very disturbing). Point is, I worked hard for it and I took care of it so it lasted me almost a decade.

I took/take good care of my possessions. I try to keep CD's scratch-free and clothes hung up. If I spill grape juice on my bedspread, I feel really bad about it and wash it right away. Maybe that's why it's hard for me to lend out my possessions, especially when I'm not given the option and possessions are taken from me without asking.

What makes it harder is when people use the excuse of "being the only child" who can't share. I can share, I love to share. I will share a big can of whoop-ass if you don't start respecting my property.

This is for all the only children out there.

We aren't spoiled, (well maybe some of us, but that's a fluke). I've met plenty of people with siblings who act like the world revolves around them. Stop stereotyping. Only children are people too!

Disclaimer: This blog was based on fictional hypotheticals and does not represent any people (*cough* roommate) or incident :)