The myth surrounding the only child syndrome makes us believe that such people are selfish, irresponsible, and antisocial. When we hear that someone doesn't have siblings, we unconsciously think they were spoiled, take everything for granted, and don't know how to share things.
While some of our assumptions are partially true, experts believe that only children grew up to be similar to children with siblings, if not better in certain ways. They form strong bonds with their parents, are very creative and they like to spend time alone.
As you can see, there are a few good and bad things you should know about when dating an only child.
Positive and Negative Aspects When Dating Only Children
1. They need time alone
Depending on your personality, you can decide whether someone's need for space and alone time is a positive or a negative aspect. The explanation behind this character trait is simple. Only children have unavoidably spent time by themselves as they grew up. They were accustomed to playing, eating and even watching TV alone. All these moments became part of their daily routine. Since we are creatures of habit, you can imagine that they ended up enjoying these times, which are also part of their adult lives.
If you also like to spend time alone to recharge your batteries and spoil yourself, you'll find an only child to be the perfect match. Conversely, you might feel that you don't spend enough time together or even rejected at times.
2. Only children are more creative
Dating an only child will not be boring. Even if most only children had friends during their childhood, they didn't spend a lot of time with them. Most of the time, they were alone in their room, where they had to find various ways of entertaining themselves. This constant search for something to do made them use their imagination more, a fact which helped them develop into creative adults.
In a romantic relationship, a creative person can weigh in with unique date ideas and willingness to experience new things. Their inventivity and resourcefulness make everything much more interesting.
3. They are problem solvers
According to psychotherapist Dana Dorfman, "only children are typically self-sufficient, learning to function on their own without the assistance of others." In other words, they are self-reliant and independent, which also makes them great problem solvers. In the absence of someone telling them what to do all the time, only children made their own decisions without consulting anyone and learned from their mistakes. They were indirectly forced to become inventive and quick-witted.
If you get involved with a problem-solver, when you face something to deal with, you can rely on their help. Also, you can enjoy a problem-free relationship, at least from their side because they seldom ask for other people's help.
4. Only children have a strong bond with their parents
The first attempt only children have at friendship is with their parents. Since there are no other kids around, they seek the company of their parents and try to form strong bonds. Some parents succeed in developing beautiful friendships with their children, while others don't. So it's not a rule for an only child to get along with both parents. However, they are strongly attached to at least one of them.
"It should be noted that many only children develop strong, close relationships with their parents and are known to be fiercely loyal and devoted in relationships," Dorfman says.
In addition, if you were to date an only child, their parents' opinion about you would matter very much. They would also consider any negative things their parents have to say about you.
Furthermore, they tend to share even the smallest details with their parents, including those about you and your relationship. Therefore, you might not enjoy the intimacy you're looking for.
5. They love big families
An only child may find a big family overwhelming at first. Still, after a short adaptation period, he or she will end up loving it. This character trait is based on the simple principle that says, "We always want what we don't have."
Dating an only child will make your life a lot easier because he or she will be enthusiastic about meeting your siblings and becoming best friends. They will act respectfully with your parents and interact in an easier way.
6. Only children are more direct about their feelings
Another take on how being an only child affects relationships is related to the way they express their feelings. They tend to be more direct than other people, and their honesty seems a lot more like bluntness. However, they mean well.
In addition, they lie less than others because, as specialists explain, they had no one to blame for their actions during childhood, so they had to take responsibility for what they had done.
Growing up, only children had no reason not to express their feelings eloquently. However, as adults, they may come off as inconsiderate of other people. As long as you are aware of this aspect, no problems should occur.
7. They get attached more easily
An only child is perfectly fine by himself or herself. So, when they meet someone they like, they make a conscious decision to spend time with them. They are also very good at offering their undivided attention to you because this is how they grew up. Their love was directed to maximum two people, so they won't disperse it in their adult life either. As a result, they get attached to friends and love interests more easily.
In case you find it harder to open up to people, an only child's pace will overwhelm you. However, if you get enthusiastic about meeting someone new and you get invested shortly, such a partner would be ideal for you.
Summary
Only children don't deserve all the negative traits attributed to them, but they aren't easy to date either. It's really up to you to figure out whether you can make things work depending on your personality and how well you can understand their peculiarities.