Spring Break
Only and Lonely
Felicia Ann Aguinaldo
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Opinion
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When I was growing up, I dreamed about being an only child. This is the life I imagined:
As an only child, I could do whatever I wanted, and no matter what I did, it would always be right. After all, my parents would have no one else to compare me to.
As an only child, I could finally be spoiled. My parents would buy me anything I wanted, and I wouldn't have to share my belongings with anyone.
As an only child, I would be allowed to be a brat. I would have my parents' undivided attention and no siblings to compete with.
As one of five children, however, my dreams were far from reality. My desire to be an only child overrode my desire to … well, to do anything at all.
Imagine what life would be like without someone constantly bugging you when you want to be alone, without someone "borrowing" all of your clothes and not washing them, without someone stealing Mom and Dad's attention and without someone ratting you out when you did something wrong.
Heaven, I know.
When I was growing up, I longed for the blessing of being an only child, but as a second-born child the closest I could ever get to that life was to move away for college.
So I did. For entirely different reasons, yes, but I still obtained similar results: I was (and still am) sister-free.
And just as I discovered my freshman year, I hate it.
Sure, I used to hear from friends that being an only child is lonely.
"You never have anyone to play board games with," my good friend once told me.
"It's OK," I said. "I don't even like board games."
That is, I didn't like board games when I grew up playing them, but now I long for the rare occasions when my sisters and I played Scrabble, Life and Monopoly.
And all those times I wished my sisters would quit prying into my personal life? I call them every time I hear something funny or see something that reminds me of them -which is every day.
Instead of ignoring the constant rants and raves about their lives like I used to, I call them at least once a week to get an update.
As an only child, I could do whatever I wanted, and no matter what I did, it would always be right. After all, my parents would have no one else to compare me to.
As an only child, I could finally be spoiled. My parents would buy me anything I wanted, and I wouldn't have to share my belongings with anyone.
As an only child, I would be allowed to be a brat. I would have my parents' undivided attention and no siblings to compete with.
As one of five children, however, my dreams were far from reality. My desire to be an only child overrode my desire to … well, to do anything at all.
Imagine what life would be like without someone constantly bugging you when you want to be alone, without someone "borrowing" all of your clothes and not washing them, without someone stealing Mom and Dad's attention and without someone ratting you out when you did something wrong.
Heaven, I know.
When I was growing up, I longed for the blessing of being an only child, but as a second-born child the closest I could ever get to that life was to move away for college.
So I did. For entirely different reasons, yes, but I still obtained similar results: I was (and still am) sister-free.
And just as I discovered my freshman year, I hate it.
Sure, I used to hear from friends that being an only child is lonely.
"You never have anyone to play board games with," my good friend once told me.
"It's OK," I said. "I don't even like board games."
That is, I didn't like board games when I grew up playing them, but now I long for the rare occasions when my sisters and I played Scrabble, Life and Monopoly.
And all those times I wished my sisters would quit prying into my personal life? I call them every time I hear something funny or see something that reminds me of them -which is every day.
Instead of ignoring the constant rants and raves about their lives like I used to, I call them at least once a week to get an update.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Samantha Aguinaldo
posted 9/13/07 @ 9:44 PM PST
Annie, I know having four sisters is tough, but just imagine what Christmas Eve would be like if no one slept on the futon with you. I love you and wish you come home soon! Sister sleepover at Jacquee's??? =]
ALEXA AGUINALDO
posted 9/13/07 @ 9:56 PM PST
HI ANNIE! I LIKE THE PART WHERE YOU SAID THE WHOLE SISTER SLEEPOVER THING. BUT YEAH, THAT WOULD SO TOTALLY BE AWESOME!!! SEE YA IN TWO WEEKS!!
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