Everyone wants what others have. It’s just how we’re made; social animals tend to their needs by seeking what their neighbor has. The lonely child wails for a companion like their friend, and the friend wants a moment of reprieve from squawking babies. I was an outsider to this world, being born as an only child. When I was little, I never understood why people wanted siblings. I was perfectly content in my bubble, doing my own thing, with no one to bother me.
Frankly, having a sibling seemed like an awful lot of work. My conclusion was further exacerbated when I heard stories from my second-grade class ranting about how their siblings launched their overweight cat down the stairs or some equally unbelievable story. From the way they mentioned their siblings, it seemed as if they would sooner eat a plate of boiled broccoli than be within ten feet of each other.
Whenever the topic of siblings was brought up, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I never had to suffer through anything remotely close as an only child. Being an only child, I was doted on heavily and received most of my parents’ attention. Who else would they give it to? I never had any pets growing up (well, fish don’t count), and I didn’t have any cousins my age. For a while, I was content, albeit a bit lonely by myself. Then my dad found a new job in Texas and my mom went to Chicago for a medical program. Naturally, I stayed in Missouri and went to live with a host family. It was here that I finally got a taste of siblinghood.
Once I started living with my first host family, I noticed two things. One was that everything was slightly off, I wasn’t the center of attention anymore and it was jarring jostling with another person for attention. I had to remember that it was perfectly rational that my host parents were acting like this. After all, I wasn’t their biological child.
Two, I had no clue what was going on. I had to adjust to a new part of my life. Moving into a new place, with new people, in a new environment is very overwhelming for a ten-year-old. Not to mention, I hadn’t hit puberty yet. Oh yeah, and COVID hit too. It was akin to throwing a fish onto land and expecting it to survive. However, animals evolve, and eventually, the fish changes into something that adapts to the different terrain. Of course, evolution doesn’t happen overnight. I had trouble getting to a point where I was comfortable with the people around me. It was hard adjusting, but there was someone else to help me. My host family had another kid that was younger than me. He looked up to me, and even though he made me want to chuck him down the stairs, I felt an innate sense of big sisterhood. This helped me in my own way. I liked the sense of responsibility and authority that I had. But alas, things didn’t work out with that family, and I had to move again.
I tried to evolve again, but this time it was way harder. This new family operated completely differently from my old one as they had a strict timetable. I was never used to such things, and I was out of my element. Fortunately, I had an older sibling to help me get adjusted. She was very mature and diligent and took me under her wing. She always tried to make the place feel like home and was never bothered by my endless questions.
Now that I am an only child again, I miss the comforting leadership of a big sister and the aggravating antics of a younger brother. I guess I do want what others have.
Frankly, having a sibling seemed like an awful lot of work. My conclusion was further exacerbated when I heard stories from my second-grade class ranting about how their siblings launched their overweight cat down the stairs or some equally unbelievable story. From the way they mentioned their siblings, it seemed as if they would sooner eat a plate of boiled broccoli than be within ten feet of each other.
Whenever the topic of siblings was brought up, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I never had to suffer through anything remotely close as an only child. Being an only child, I was doted on heavily and received most of my parents’ attention. Who else would they give it to? I never had any pets growing up (well, fish don’t count), and I didn’t have any cousins my age. For a while, I was content, albeit a bit lonely by myself. Then my dad found a new job in Texas and my mom went to Chicago for a medical program. Naturally, I stayed in Missouri and went to live with a host family. It was here that I finally got a taste of siblinghood.
Once I started living with my first host family, I noticed two things. One was that everything was slightly off, I wasn’t the center of attention anymore and it was jarring jostling with another person for attention. I had to remember that it was perfectly rational that my host parents were acting like this. After all, I wasn’t their biological child.
Two, I had no clue what was going on. I had to adjust to a new part of my life. Moving into a new place, with new people, in a new environment is very overwhelming for a ten-year-old. Not to mention, I hadn’t hit puberty yet. Oh yeah, and COVID hit too. It was akin to throwing a fish onto land and expecting it to survive. However, animals evolve, and eventually, the fish changes into something that adapts to the different terrain. Of course, evolution doesn’t happen overnight. I had trouble getting to a point where I was comfortable with the people around me. It was hard adjusting, but there was someone else to help me. My host family had another kid that was younger than me. He looked up to me, and even though he made me want to chuck him down the stairs, I felt an innate sense of big sisterhood. This helped me in my own way. I liked the sense of responsibility and authority that I had. But alas, things didn’t work out with that family, and I had to move again.
I tried to evolve again, but this time it was way harder. This new family operated completely differently from my old one as they had a strict timetable. I was never used to such things, and I was out of my element. Fortunately, I had an older sibling to help me get adjusted. She was very mature and diligent and took me under her wing. She always tried to make the place feel like home and was never bothered by my endless questions.
Now that I am an only child again, I miss the comforting leadership of a big sister and the aggravating antics of a younger brother. I guess I do want what others have.
