People who are only child's

Apocalypse · 27-02-2013 06:04PM #1

Just an observation I made about 3 friends of mine who are only children .
The way that they act is different to those with siblings I find , there seems to be an element of selfishness in each of them , not great at sharing , would not
go out of their way to do something for you etc..

So are only children selfish by nature , or is it just coincidental that my 3 friends are mean ?

PS : No offence to those of you who are only children

robman60 · 27-02-2013 06:05PM

"child's" is not a word.

Where To · 27-02-2013 06:05PM

I thought you were dead MJ!!

Sorry just realised you meant people that were only children, not people that were still children.

Carry on!!

DavyD_83 · 27-02-2013 06:06PM

Only children definitely have a slightly different approach to things than those with siblings.

Then again, in every category of people some people are just asshóles.
Or maybe something in you attracts mean people?

murrayp4 · 27-02-2013 06:07PM

robman60 wrote: »

"child's" is not a word.

Child's is the genitive case of Child.

Post title still makes no sense.

HondaSami · 27-02-2013 06:09PM

I know people who come from big families and they hate sharing, then again I have a nephew who is an only child and he would share his last rolo, it all depends on the child.

seenitall · 27-02-2013 06:11PM

My best friend is an only child.

He is a fairly egotistic individual overall, in that he always keeps an eye on the main chance, never fails to use it, and hasn't got much time for sentimentality;

however I can't fault him as a friend - very loyal, makes time for me, shares well both emotionally and materially speaking.

Hope that helps, OP.

Birneybau · 27-02-2013 06:11PM

Aren't all children "Only Childs"?, if such a thing existed.

27-02-2013 06:13PM

I do use the phrase "only child syndrome" to describe some people when they behave spoilt or ignorant, which is probably an unfair and ironically ignorant thing to say itself. Kids from big families can be just as bad or worse, an only child can be nice too. Completely depends on their parents/guardians and how they are raised.

amacca · 27-02-2013 06:14PM

I'm an only child and I'm great and **** you all if you dont like me!

ps: dont touch any of my stuff while I'm away.

caitmb · 27-02-2013 06:15PM

They are known as 'lonely' children in my house....my brother mistakenly called them this as a child and its stuck ever since! The few I know are def me(may)-feiners(dont know how to do fada's!) Nice people but its all about them....

Ruudi_Mentari · 28-02-2013 12:48AM

Poor llittle lonely only childs think they've missed out on sibling rivalry. Not content with a more expensive teddy bear than most they want a fcuking nemesis under the same roof too...

They've definitely had it easier. And only want to start a family where others may be weary of such, particularly when mammy has doted on them so - personally I'm a middle child, and there's a syndrome for that too

ProudDUB · 28-02-2013 01:09AM

I've two friends who are only children. One (guy) would give you the shirt off his back & couldn't do enough for you really. He had a very lonely childhood. He talks quite openly about it, and how he envies those with siblings. Often wonder if he treats his friends as those much longed for siblings. He has no cousins either, as one parent was an only child also and the other ones sister was nun. His social skills are some what stunted due to such an isolated childhood, and he freaks out a bit if he is an social setting with other families. He can't take all the banter and the slagging. But he is a wonderful, wonderful friend and I wouldn't change a hair on his head.

Other friend, also has not much of a family to speak of, not just siblings. It's just her and her parents. She was spoiled rotten as a kid and is very, very self absorbed. Everything always has to revolve around her. All the time. If a conversation veers away from her and her latest drama in her life, for even 5 minutes, she'll sit and sulk until she can drop some overly dramatic statement about her self into the conversation, and then its all back to being about her again. I can only take her in small doses.

So all in all, I'd say it all comes down to the person really.

Shiner11 · 28-02-2013 01:15AM

Yeah, I've a cousin who is an only child and when growing up we were very envious of all the things she got that we didn't have.
But we've realised now that at 20 she's a snob, very up herself, fairly odd and has to be the centre of attention with her faricated stories always being that bit better than your own.

I have two very close friends, one is the second oldest out of four (the same as myself) but the other is the youngest of three. The guy who is the youngest also has some of the attributes of an only child, fairly selfish and wouldn't go out of his way to help a friend out.
But the thing is is that he doesn't realise these small things as most youngest children in families tend to be slightly spoiled since their parents have no energy left at this stage in their lives to argue with yet another small child as he was growing up.

space_man · 28-02-2013 01:22AM

i come from a family of 10 siblings and i would give my right arm to be an only child.

phoenix999 · 28-02-2013 01:43AM

In China they call them 'Little Emperors'.

space_man · 28-02-2013 01:44AM

phoenix999 wrote: »

In China they call them 'Little Emperors'.

indeed.
but the situation in China is hardly comparable to here is it?:rolleyes:

Miss Lockhart · 28-02-2013 01:52AM

My experience has been that most seemed pretty normal and nice on the surface but all turned out to be very self centred and expected their own way in important matters once I got to know them on a deeper level.

I'm sure there's plenty of good ones too though.

April O Neill · 28-02-2013 02:12AM

Am, excuse me OP, but I believe the correct term is 'childers'. Jeez, get it right.

:pac:

Napper Hawkins · 28-02-2013 02:23AM

Meh, it's all down to your upbringing and who you are as an individual.

CollardGreens · 28-02-2013 02:31AM

The world as a whole is self centered and egotistical, full of sinning evil jerks.

I don't think you can group people (;)).

I have a family member, she has several childs. One acts like your description but has one half brother and 2 siblings. She spoils that childs more than the other childs.

btw, my computer tells me "childs" is not a word.

Mick ah · 28-02-2013 02:33AM

space_man wrote: »

i come from a family of 10 siblings and i would give my right arm to be an only child.

Is that because you use your left hand for ****? What are you going to click the mouse with?

vitani · 28-02-2013 11:14AM

Shiner11 wrote: »

Yeah, I've a cousin who is an only child and when growing up we were very envious of all the things she got that we didn't have.
But we've realised now that at 20 she's a snob, very up herself, fairly odd and has to be the centre of attention with her faricated stories always being that bit better than your own.

I have two very close friends, one is the second oldest out of four (the same as myself) but the other is the youngest of three. The guy who is the youngest also has some of the attributes of an only child, fairly selfish and wouldn't go out of his way to help a friend out.
But the thing is is that he doesn't realise these small things as most youngest children in families tend to be slightly spoiled since their parents have no energy left at this stage in their lives to argue with yet another small child as he was growing up.

I'm a youngest child, and probably am slightly spoilt. I did get more freedom than my siblings, and definitely got away with a lot more than they did.

But there's a flipside. I grew up as the most insignificant member of the family - everybody else was bigger than me, knew more than me and could tell me what to do. So I tend to adopt that role in other areas now.

mashedbanana · 28-02-2013 11:34AM

I know one little boy (aged 10) who is the most sensitive young fella I've ever known. He is an only child. This is what I have observed:

When the mom & dad are engaging in conversation the chid is encluded, and asked his opinion, this happens all the time. Now don't get me wrong, thank God we are no longer in an Ireland where kids are 'seen & not heard'.

This has made the child old before his years, and well versed on daily adult issues/worldly issues.
This has made him exceptionally opinionated, and arrogant, and disliked with his peers/cousins of same age.
He takes everything personally and hurts easily (but emotionally & physically)
He is doted upon to the point of feeling entitled.
He carries 'news' straight back to his parents, and as a results, adults aren't particularly keen on minding him.

The slightest achievement in school is broadcast nationwide. (where as I would consider these achievements as regular schoolwork)

If and when he does share his toys with other kids his age everyone is expected to give the obligatory pat on the back for 'being such a good little boy to share you things'

He is a product of his rearing, I worry abut him, but unfortunately can't say anything. He's not....like... other kids, I can't put my finger on it.

anncoates · 28-02-2013 11:44AM

Hard to generalize but the 2 people I know with only children: the kids seem to be a little more precious-acting and/or adult in their ways. Tend to want to colonize their parents attention more and are a little bossy from what I see.

That said, a good friend is an only child and he's one of the soundest, most chilled out people I know.

anncoates · 28-02-2013 11:46AM

robman60 wrote: »

"child's" is not a word.

murrayp4 wrote: »

Child's is the genitive case of Child.

Post title still makes no sense.

Birneybau wrote: »

Aren't all children "Only Childs"?, if such a thing existed.

CollardGreens wrote: »

btw, my computer tells me "childs" is not a word.

Yes, yes, we get the fucking point.

elefant · 28-02-2013 11:51AM

space_man wrote: »

i come from a family of 10 siblings and i would give my right arm to be an only child.

That's the kind of genorosity you wouldn't even consider if you were an only child!

Naid23 · 28-02-2013 11:52AM

I actually don't know anyone who is an only child now that I think of it!

As much as my 3 sisters drive me crazy - I wouldnt have it any other way!

anncoates · 28-02-2013 11:58AM

I would assume only children were comparatively uncommon in previous generations and will probably increase these days given the smaller size of contemporary Irish families.

judgefudge · 28-02-2013 12:00PM

My dads an only child and he would do anything for anyone. He wasn't exactly pampered growing up though.

byronbay2 · 28-02-2013 12:12PM

phoenix999 wrote: »

In China they call them 'Little Emperors'.

In France they're called "Le Petit Prince" - one child families are the norm for the middle-class there.

I agree with mashedbanana that only children tend to be very advanced for their age and can discuss things in a "mature" way - things (current affairs etc.) that their peers have absolutely no interest in. Also, I find, they tend to gravitate towards adults, rather than people of their own age, in mixed-age company.

In general, they are more polite and well-behaved than ordinary children but are not as mentally or physically "tough" - they take offence easily, tend to sulk and don't "bounce back" as quickly/easily as other children.

People who are only child's

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