Most things in life have their pros and cons, and being an only child is no different. The key is to appreciate the blessings and acknowledge the shortcomings...

PROS:

• Quietness: Of my friends that have brothers and sisters most have complained about the noise level while growing up in their childhood homes. Most couldn't find a quiet moment to think or do homework, but that was never a problem for me. I always had quiet time to read and do homework, watch TV with my parents, or sleep in on Saturdays.
• Attention: As an only child I was always the center of attention, however, other than among my close circle of friends I am never an attention hog. I prefer to quietly observe, and then comment when I feel it necessary. As a child, and especially during my teenage years, I always tried to "ham it up." I was quite the actress. And, with no other siblings to vie for the parental units' attention, I always had an audience.
• Privacy: I never had the unique experience of sharing a bathroom with a grungy older brother, or worrying about my sister reading my diary. I was always guaranteed my own space.
• Amenity monopoly: Without brothers and sisters to vie for allowance funds, holiday gifts, or any of life's other comforts, I was definitely due a nice haul. Why not enjoy it? The trick is not to become spoiled. That's right, even the "only child" can learn to be appreciative.

CONS:

• Loneliness: My mother gave birth to me when she was 39. She had 6 older brothers and sisters who all had children in their 20's and 30's at the time that I was born, so I didn't have any cousins who were my age to play with. That, compounded with being an only child, meant that there were a few lonely moments during my childhood. I believe that's why my mother was so willing to host sleepovers, and drive my friends and I around on the weekends (before we got our licenses of course...we were way cool).
• Higher expectations: I definitely felt pressure to succeed. Children give parents reasons (or excuses, depending on how you view it) to gloat, and parents can often live vicariously through their children. As an only child there is more pressure to be perfect and not make any mistakes as you muddle through life. After all, if little Muffy smokes pot, older brother Biff isn't there to land that ivy league scholarship.
• Labeling: Everyone assumes that you suffer from Only Child Syndrome. Once you are labeled as an only child you are automatically typecast as a spoiled brat who never learned to share anything. F.Y.I. as a child I did learn to share, however, I do bite.
• Overprotection: My parents, like other parents who only have one child, felt very protective of me. I didn't have an older sibling whom they could turn to for an added set of eyes and/or ears. The 'rents can totally cramp your style.