solo, or no solo?

As an only child I’ve never fully understood the dynamic a household with siblings has and it was one I felt I lacked over the years. This didn’t mean, however, that my heart wasn’t full with having people as close as siblings around me. I’m fortunate enough to have two first cousins very close to me and I grew up seeing them on a weekly basis and we are still very close.

Growing up, I was your classic only child who was used to my own space, with no need to share my belongings and always lost in my own fantasy world playing games - my husband will argue not much has changed. A lot of my childhood memories revolve around these lonely ones but there are so many more memories I can think of between my cousins and I. 

Now, having a sister-in-law too, and having a husband who is 1 of 3, I’ve been even more exposed to the sibling dynamic. Initially it was a lot for me to deal with but now it’s become second nature and something I hold onto dearly.

"Or to always have that person who you can have fun with, how different and colourful would your life be then?"

I know many of you who are siblings would probably enjoy the silence I’ve had in my life, but imagine all that noise was suddenly taken away. Imagine there was no one but yourself; just you and a parent, no one to share the load, no one you could have banter with teasing your parents, or someone to pick a fight with out of pure boredom. Imagine how immensely different your life would be. Does that actually make you feel lonely?

And vice versa if you’re an only child; those days where you’ve felt boredom and loneliness and just wish you had someone else with you who uniquely understood what happens behind closed doors, or to always have that person who you can have fun with, how different and colourful would your life be then?

Being a sibling, or being an only child, comes with its pros and cons but what I’ve enjoyed most is the assurance having a sibling comes with.

Siblings exist. There is no getting rid of them whether you like it or not, your DNA ensures that you will be forever bonded. I will never truly know how that feels but what I’ve had with my cousins has always been close enough. Now that I’m married, my partner and I look forward to a future with children and no matter the amount we have, that child will have parents who know what both worlds feel like and will ensure their family dynamic growing up creates some of the best memories they’ll ever have. 

Rhéa x