If given a choice,do you prefer to have siblings or prefer to be an only child?
By aisaellis22
@aisaellis22 (6445)
United States
November 27, 2008 6:44pm CST
I belong to a very big family. I have 5 siblings, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. The house is very noisy because of some arguments between siblings. It's hard to have many siblings because I can't have whatever I want. My parents always wanted to be fair with us and they don't want to buy something if others won't have. You know, jealousy will arise. Competition of our parents attention is undeniable. I once even thought that I wish I am the only child at least my parents love will be focus on me and I know I can have what I want because they can afford to give me one. But now, I then realized that it's better to have many siblings. Although there are arguments sometimes, but during gatherings, we are happy and undeniably we love each other.
How about you? Do you belong to a big family or a small one? If given a choice, do you prefer to have siblings or prefer to an only child?
5 people like this
54 responses
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
16 Jan 09
I am blessed with only one younger brother, I have no sister. I prefer to have siblings, because had I been alone, I would have felt lonely and bored. When there are siblings to share your joys and sorrows, it makes you feel better. However, this is not in my hand, this issue was decided by my dear parents that how many siblings I should have.
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
17 Jan 09
Yes, if one has many siblings, it will be a fun. Those who have less aspire for more and vice versa.
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
18 Jan 09
you got it right deepak..you're not close with your brother?
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
16 Jan 09
hehehe..yes, you're right..but at least you have one..sometimes, having many silings is a disaster especially having brothers..lol! but kidding aside, even if it made the house very noisy, I still love them.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
28 Nov 08
I happen to be the youngest among six children of our parents, three brothers and two sisters. I could only recall arguements with the brother of mine that I came after but, it was all childish arguements and I think its just part of growing up as sibling rivalry is really common.
If I ever be an only child, I guess my parents could really provide the things that I need but, having siblings is really nice as I could be with them when our parents are yet to come home from work, when they were still working anyway.
There are advantages and disadvantages on being an only child as well as having plenty of siblings but, given the choice, I wouldn't change anything that I'm in right now (^_^ )
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
28 Nov 08
I agree with you ratyz5. I am used to live with them so it would be different if I don't live with them.
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
28 Nov 08
Hello ratyz5. I am glad to see you here again. I guess you are right. I do love my siblings too and once think about it but now I am happy that I have them. Life without my family would be useless.
1 person likes this
@sonicflood132 (159)
• United States
28 Nov 08
i much prefer having a sibling - i have a younger brother and we get along GREAT. we play video games, go to movies, go to dinner, etc. it's much more fun than being alone.
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
28 Nov 08
It seems that you love your brother. I don't think having one sibling is a problem. I think that's good too.
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
28 Nov 08
Well it's good to hear it. A brother or sister would be a good best buddy than to anyone because you know that the relationship you have is genuine.
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
28 Nov 08
I am the youngest of three. I have an older sister and an older brother. They seem closer to each other than to me. I look back and suspect they resented my intrusion into their lives. My big brother used to tease and bully me sometimes. My older sister was not well as a child but did not really interact with me much. I sometimes find they do help me on occasion but they still do not bother with me much. It is not that there is any dislike just not close.
I think whether I had the siblings I had or being an only child would have made my life much different. While they are not bad like some people are saddled with, they are somewhat indifferent, and I think having siblings is sometimes over rated.
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
28 Nov 08
Hello mariposaman. Your story is quiet sad and very unique. I rarely hear a story like that. Although there are some fightings and arguments at home, I can still feel they care and love me. It seems that you're not close to your siblings. I don't know why.
@jcay_lorna (433)
• Ireland
19 Dec 08
I've read a book just like your story a long time ago. Is it possible that you could be the writer of that book? hehehe
@sunshine1010 (146)
• Jamaica
28 Nov 08
I belong to a big family, however I am an only child:) I grew up with my mother and she has lots of brothers and sisters so they were always around and they are really great aunts and uncles. They have their own kids, all younger than me and I have had to babysit alot so in a way I guess I know about having younger siblings.lol. I would not change my family dynamic though, its great the way it is, i feel somewhere in between an only child and one with lots of younger brothers and sisters so I guess it all works out for me
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
29 Nov 08
Your story is very exciting! I can imagine how happy your childhood was.
@wilmonarch (484)
• India
17 Jan 09
i have one brother and i am happy with it
he cares for me more than anyone
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I am glad to hear about it wilmonarch. I am glad that you and your brother are close to each other.
@poppoppop111 (5731)
• Canada
7 Jan 09
not sure, i feel like maybe an only child cause my parents might of spent more time and payed attention to me, but i'l like to have a sister who i'm close to. i've always wanted to be close to family but it just didn't work out that way, my brother and i haven't talked in about 15 years cause my mother turned him against me
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
7 Jan 09
That's a sad story. At first I even thought to be an only child too but it changed when I grow up and understand things. I love my siblings and we help each other. But if that's what you preferred, I respected you. But you know what, having a sister is quiet good too.
@stormy09 (437)
• United Arab Emirates
16 Jan 09
Hello aisaellis, How are u !? hmm like u I also belong to a big family, I have 2 sisters and 1 brother. And I agree with u that having siblings is better than being an only child... I think being an only child is lonely, because u dont have somebody to play with ,talk etc..
1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
16 Jan 09
I'd have to say siblings. And not because I have them ( I do). But because of my daughter. From about the age of 2 she was asking for a sibling. A sister specifically. We thought she was going to be an only. 3 years later on Dec 10,2008 she got a brother. She is a much happier 5 1/2 year old. She loves her big sis role.
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
17 Jan 09
wow! congrats on your new baby ersmommy1! I know how happy you are today..I am glad that you have given your daughter a little brother now..
@koharukusumi (1539)
• Malaysia
16 Jan 09
I think it's hard to choose when we are born either as a single child or having siblings. I guess we'll never really know what it feels like being what we are not and the closest we can get is by asking people how they feel. People say the hardest is being the only boy in the family. Like if you're born being a boy and having lots of sisters coz you're sort of the family's guardian
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
17 Jan 09
you do have a point there..like it's so hard to be the only girl in the family because your brothers would be very protective from you and that you must do all the chores..hehehe..
@sahed159 (369)
•
17 Jan 09
I belong to a small family, my parents, i & my younger brother. We are fine but some time we realize that if i have sister!
It true that small family not so gather as big family but there have some extra enjoy, sympathy to other & build a strong relation. It is funny to.
Enjoy your life.
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
18 Jan 09
yes, you're right..but I think your house is very peaceful because there's only the two of you, right?
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
8 Jan 09
You're right. My sister keeps on borrowing things from me but it's ok because I borrowed her things too..hehehe.
@gunagohan (3414)
• India
16 Jan 09
i have a sister, but she is not with my family, she is being brought up by my aunty, due to this im the only child in my house now...i enjoy all my parents property.....they spend more money on me and for me...they careness towards me is infinite...their love towards me is un countable....i think if i had my sister growing with me, i wont get this much, because im the one to get and spend my fathers earnings.....but i wish i could have my sister to be grown up with me..any way im 19 now she s 17 now...she s gonna marry soon.....
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
17 Jan 09
wow! your story is quiet unique..your sister is still young to get married guna..
@fedge098 (1330)
• Philippines
29 Nov 08
I belong to a big family as well. I belong to a family of seven (7), with me as the eldest. I have two brothers and two sisters. Yes, it is quite hard from time to time to deal with having so much people under one roof. Misunderstandings happen from time to time and things could get out of control. But look at the bright side of things, people "grow" in many different ways. And the one, most effective place for one person to grow into a good-natured man, is the home where he belongs. Challenges inside the home will help him grow maturely and become a very good and outstanding person once he step his foot outside of their doors. This is where the foundation for a good person is developed.
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Oh my! I can see how hard it is for you to deal 6 siblings. You are the eldest so I know how matured you are right now. But I do believe in you. I don't have problems with my sister but my brothers are out of control sometimes. They are always arguing some nonsense things. But you're right, having many siblings is incomparable.
@marymarj2002 (1769)
• Philippines
2 Dec 08
If I have a chance to have a sibling or not I would still prefer to have more siblings. Aside from the fact that it is fun you can have someone to trust and ask for help also especially when you are down. Usually it is the family that encourages us the most.
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
9 Dec 08
I agree with you marj. Even during those dark times of our life, our family will be there to help us.
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
29 Nov 08
I have an older brother and a younger one and they're okay to be around. We have a very small age gap so we're pretty tight. If my child were in my situation, I think he or she would be very happy. I have seen some bigger families though and I think it's harder to put up with many siblings. I feel blessed to have brothers in my family because they look out for me and do some work for me as well. At the same time, whenever I help them out in their clothes or food issues, I feel appreciated in the family. So I would rather have siblings than be an only child, thank you.
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I do agree with you mimico. I thought about being an only child when I was little but now, I realized I'm wrong just even thinking about it. Although my brothers are giving me hard time sometimes, but they will still help me in times I need their help.
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
7 Jan 09
I would be where I am right now :D I have 3 siblings - an older brother, an older sister and a younger brother. Having each of them helped me build character and I like who I am right now because of them. I think I'll end up a spoiled brat if I ever grew up as an only child...not to mention lonely!
Thanks for the response on my discussion!
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
7 Jan 09
You hit it right oyenkai! Having many siblings is quiet fun. It also helps us build as a person. I remember that a family has a biggest factor in influencing children.
@rizzu87 (860)
• Malaysia
6 Jan 09
I think having siblings is fun. You get to enjoy with your brothers and sisters. You can share good times with someone of your age apart from friends at home. with parents you cannot do that. I have 3 brothers and a sister and i think i have really enjoyed my past with them. We all love each other and its really fun to stay together.
If someone is the only child then i think he/she will start feeling very lonely and most of the time will stay upset. If amongst your siblings you face problem insisting your parents to buy you something i think thats the enjoyment of life rather than getting everything on saying once.
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
7 Jan 09
I totally agree with you rizzu87! I guess most of the mylot members would want to have at least one sibling.
@marylots (51)
• United States
6 Jan 09
I have 2 siblings- they are both boys and I'm the only girl. Having 2 brothers is fun but sadly, I lack a sister. I wish I had a sister so there would be someone whom I could talk to about "girlie" things, this would have been even more fun. I'm okay if I had many siblings, like 5 or 6, but not more than that. However, I wouldn't be at all happy if I were the only child. Being an only child, I feel my life would be too solitary, as I know my parents can't be with me for the rest of my life. Without any sibling, there would be no shoulders to cry on and funs to share with. Al though I'm now married and have a loving husband, having a close blood relation, like siblings, would still make a difference.
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
7 Jan 09
You're right marylots. Having many siblings is fun. Maybe we will realized it when we reached at the right age where we are mature enough to know that our life would be boring without brothers and sisters.
