What is it like to grow up as an only child?
«Dear Dominique, I grew up with two sisters, you as an only child. What are the advantages and disadvantages for you as a child and also as an adult without siblings?»
Corina Sarasin, Sales Manager
"As a child, I never suffered from being an only child. Sure, every now and then I wished I had a sister to play with or a brother to protect me. My parents both worked, my mum part-time, so I went to daycare relatively early on, where I had a lot of contact with other children. There were also two girls in my neighbourhood who were almost the same age as me and we did lots of things together. We also went on holiday together, sometimes I was allowed to go with the other family, sometimes we took one of my friends with us.
I don't remember that the usual prejudices about a spoilt only child applied to me. I had lots of friends and was no better or worse at sharing than other children with siblings. Only when it came to holidays did I notice that our family had more holidays - regular holidays by the sea or skiing holidays - than families with several children. But that was certainly also because both parents worked.
My parents separated when I was nine years old. When I was 14, I moved from Hergiswil to Stäfa with my mum. That was bad, I was in the middle of puberty and didn't know anyone. I wished I had siblings who were also new to my school, who would have shared my suffering. Fortunately, I found a friend in the new class who is still my best friend today.
My parents both found new partners after the separation. My mum's new husband has three children. I get on well with my stepbrothers when we see each other at family celebrations. We don't have any closer contact, it didn't turn out that way.
Today, I realise the disadvantages of having an only child. All the visits, phone calls and so on are centred on me, so it would be quite practical if we could split up between siblings. I'm also aware that I'm solely responsible for caring for my parents if they get worse. That's a burden, so it would be nice to be able to share this task or the worries with a brother or sister. Fortunately, I have good friends.
If I have children later on, I could well imagine that one would be enough for me. . "
The next question goes to Thomas Schlickenrieder, Managing Director of Stiftung Elternsein:
«Dear Thomas, your son is going to college in the USA. How did you deal with the separation?»
The answer has now been published:
Family in different time zones, that's how I dealt with the separation. The answer from Thomas Schlickenrieder.
Previously published in the series «We ask ourselves ...»:
- Editor-in-chief Nik Niethammer answers the question: Dear Nik, do your children still believe in Father Christmas and the Christ Child?
- Editor Florina Schwander answers the question: Dear Florina, do your twins get the same presents for Christmas?
- Lead author Claudia Landolt answers the question: How does it feel to be a woman with five men and a dog?
- Deputy Editor-in-Chief Evelin Hartmann answers the question: How do you manage the bilingualism of High German and Swiss German?
- Patrik Luther, Deputy Publishing Director, answers the question: What is it like when the children have a big age difference?
- Florian Blumer, Head of Production, answers the question: How do you manage to distribute work, family and household equally?
- Bianca Fritz, Head of Online, answers the question: What is it actually like to work for a parenting magazine when you are (still) childless?
- Sales Manager Jacqueline Zygmont answers the question: How do you let go when your son (20) is slowly fledging?
- Sales Manager Corina Sarasin answers the question: What is the relationship like with your godchildren?