9 Things You'll Understand If You Are the Only Child in a Latinx Family

Updated on 8/10/2017 at 7:00 PM

You know plenty of only children who come from Latinx families, but to the world, you are a total anomaly. The stereotype says that Latinx families tend to be big, and we won't say that's not totally right, but siblings aren't a given.

Growing up sans siblings had its perks and downfalls. While you probably begged your parents for a little brother or sister for years, you never really felt alone because your cousins, neighbors, and friends were always around to play with. In fact, after witnessing one big blowout between your cousins, you decided you didn't need a sibling of your own. Plus, there's all the extra attention you got from Abuela, right?

If these scenarios have you nodding along, keep reading for more things you'll only understand if you're both Latinx and an only child.

You grew up being extra responsible.

From a young age, you were your parents' go-to person, so you grew up fast. You were a translator, calling to pay for bills and going to doctors' appointments with them. You helped with errands and chores because there was no one else to help.

There was no one around to distract from your mom's overprotectiveness.

Your Latina mom's favorite pastime is focusing on you, and there was no one else to share that attention with.

But your mom is also your best friend.

Because you did everything together!

You never had to fight with anyone for toys, food, or attention.

The truest blessing of being an only child came in the form of food, when you got first and last dibs. Christmas wasn't bad, either — only one kid to buy presents for.

Family Sundays were your favorite.

It helped to even out the quieter days spent at home with just you and your parents.

You find yourself having to explain why you're an only child a lot.

Stereotypes precede, and they often lead to awkward moments of being forced to explain why you're an only child. Hmm, because my parents only wanted one child? None of your business.

Abuela always gives you a little extra love.

Or food . . . or presents. It makes your cousins extra mad at you, but it's OK because she just wants you to know you're loved and, really, who are you to stop her?

In a way, your cousins are your siblings.

You have so many cousins and they are at your place so often that you forget you don't have any siblings.

You never wanted friends or family to leave at the end of a day hanging out.

It meant having to go back to entertaining yourself, and who wants to do that?