Big or small, each family is unique. Whether coming from a family with many siblings, or having lived their lives being an only child, each person’s home life affects their perspective in many ways.

Being the only child in his household, Senior Keaton Thompson believed he was his only resource growing up.

“You can only refer back to yourself,” Thompson said. “You don’t really have anybody to go out to and talk to. You kind of have to figure everything out on your own.”

Also being raised without siblings, senior Brenna Brown has developed the same self sufficiency.

“Growing up I was more surrounded by more adults than kids,” Brown said. “I think that I grew up a little faster. Not that people with siblings can’t be mature, I just think I learned how to be more independent.”

Despite the loneliness that can come with being an only child, those who lack siblings never have to worry about silly arguments with their brothers or sisters. Brown enjoys not having to worry about these type of arguments.

“A lot of my friends say they fight with their siblings and wish they were only children,” Brown said. “Siblings can steal your your stuff and silly things like that.”

As only children, both agree their lives possess a sense of calmness that is hard to maintain with siblings, allowing them to be able to predict what will happen on most days.

“[My life is] very slow paced, and nothing really happens out of the ordinary,” Thompson said. “It’s pretty mellow and chill.”

While some bask in the spotlight of their parents, others are forced to share it with a plethora of siblings; people who can be both your best friends and archenemies.

Senior Elijah Jacobs’s favorite part of having seven siblings is the rivalry between them, as it motivates each to improve themselves.

“We are all pretty competitive, especially my brother Isaiah and I when he was still in high school.”

Sophomore Marlowe Greenwell believes the important lessons to be learned from a big family outweigh the conflicts that inevitably arise.

“I have six siblings,” Greenwell said. “I think it makes me more patient with people and better at listening to them too.”

Brother or sisters constantly running around the house makes it hard for those with siblings to feel bored. People who live in a full house often feel there is always something to be done, especially in the mornings.

“It’s always really busy,” Greenwell said. “We have four people in three different schools, so there’s a lot going on in the mornings.”

Whether experiencing the loneliness of being an only child or the chaos of being surrounded by siblings, most do not wish to change the family they have. Despite the pros and cons of either lifestyle, people become accustomed to how they are raised, greatly affecting what kind of person they become.

“It would be cool to be an only child, but I never really had that thought of what it would be like,” Jacobs said. “I still like my family, it’s all fun. I wouldn’t change that in any way if I could.”