To think the traditional stereotypes around only children are so false and contradictory?

[Devilgate]

I say ‘traditional’ because I think only child negative stereotypes have faded now

• thank the Lord *

… but people have said only children are spoilt and also lonely.

If only children were genuinely ‘spoilt’ they wouldn’t be lonely because I see the PROPER meaning of the world spoilt as having not only lots of material stuff but also your emotional needs pandered to as well - so if a child was really ‘spoilt’ - parents would be hovering round, pandering to them, making sure they’re not lonely, surely ?

I was an only child and my mum frequently used ‘spoilt’ as a term of abuse to me. But I noticed she’d use the term about other family members - eg cousin - who needed a favour from her. She also sometimes made observations that I was lonely - sort of pity, if you like.

i once confronted my mum and said “look - on one hand you say I’m spoilt and overpriveleged, on another you say I’m lonely and to be pitied - so WHICH ONE IS IT?

Mh mum looked very sheepish as if she’d been put on the ‘back foot’ and looked a bit embarrassed.

But GOOD!! Cos at the time I was just SICK OF HER SHIT!!

People chat shit.

In any subject whatsoever.

Two kids having an identical brat-attack, only the ‘only’ will be diagnosed as a spoilt only child who can’t share blah blah

Two siblings having a massive bust up over a toy, or parent’s attention : normal

Every child is different, every family is different, generalisations show people up for bring dim and chatting shit.

Totally agree - thanks for responding.

The main person who ‘bullied’ me for being an only child was my mum!

if I did something ‘attention seeking - apparently its because “ was the CENTRE of attention at home” - I wasn’t ! My mum was an abusive alcoholic!

Whereas if another another girl I knew did something attention seeking - it’s because she’s got a younger sister and she never gets attention. Stupid!!!