Hi! My name is Hannah!
I am 18 years old and a student at the University of Arizona. I was born and raised in Ventura, CA, where I hope to return home to raise my own children one day. Even though I am the creator of this website, Only Children are Not Alone, I am not an only child. I have a younger sister, Riley (16), and more recently added to the family, a step brother, Jake (17), who are both juniors in high school. I can proudly say my sister is, and always will be, my best friend and I would be nowhere close to where I am today without growing up with her by my side.
However, I am very passionate about advocating for only children. Only children are often thought negatively of; they are rumored to be selfish, lack social skills, aggressive, bossy, lonely and overall more "strange" than those with siblings. This is completely false! Only children have just as many opportunities as do the children with siblings and should be treated as equals- hence, my creation of this site! I have known many friends and acquaintances, as well as my mom and her significant other, to be only children. Growing up, I have heard my mom say that she always wanted to have a sibling growing up, so once she had me in 1994, she knew she would have another child because she never wanted me to be alone. Growing up, this was always a thought in the back of my mind as I fought with my sister- what if my mom never chose to bless me with a sibling? In what ways would I be different? Does having siblings actually benefit you? Upon doing some research, I found that recent studies have shown only children actually have multiple benefits over children with siblings including a higher IQ test score, equivalent, if not improved, emotional and social effects, as well as the only child has increased attention, funds and affection from their parents.
I personally believe, though, that family and siblings do not stop at those who are related to you with blood, but family includes those who love you unconditionally and would drop anything in a heartbeat to help you in a time of need. It truly takes a village to raise a child, since everyone surrounding them influences them.
Enjoy and stay tuned for updates!
However, I am very passionate about advocating for only children. Only children are often thought negatively of; they are rumored to be selfish, lack social skills, aggressive, bossy, lonely and overall more "strange" than those with siblings. This is completely false! Only children have just as many opportunities as do the children with siblings and should be treated as equals- hence, my creation of this site! I have known many friends and acquaintances, as well as my mom and her significant other, to be only children. Growing up, I have heard my mom say that she always wanted to have a sibling growing up, so once she had me in 1994, she knew she would have another child because she never wanted me to be alone. Growing up, this was always a thought in the back of my mind as I fought with my sister- what if my mom never chose to bless me with a sibling? In what ways would I be different? Does having siblings actually benefit you? Upon doing some research, I found that recent studies have shown only children actually have multiple benefits over children with siblings including a higher IQ test score, equivalent, if not improved, emotional and social effects, as well as the only child has increased attention, funds and affection from their parents.
I personally believe, though, that family and siblings do not stop at those who are related to you with blood, but family includes those who love you unconditionally and would drop anything in a heartbeat to help you in a time of need. It truly takes a village to raise a child, since everyone surrounding them influences them.
Enjoy and stay tuned for updates!