If you have only one child .....

Hi there!

My DD is 20 months old .... I am an only child and LOVED being an only child.

I never once have looked back at my life and wished I had a sibiling (and my parents said I never ever asked for a sibling as a child)

I know this is rare, most only children I know, always said they wished they had a sibilng.

I guess I've just been hoping my DD would be the same as me, completely content with it just being her.

But am I alone on this?

Does anyone have an only child that just loves being an only child ??

I'm starting to get a little scared that she won't be like I was and that she'll always want a sibilng.

Re: If you have only one child .....

My DS will be six this month and he has never asked for a sibling. I asked him once if he wanted one and he said no way. We'll see how he is as he gets older but so far he's been content.

Re: If you have only one child .....

My DS is almost 2- of course we cant really discuss it at this point, but I think he will be an only. I just think that he will be satisfied knowing that we always want to give him the best! I cant picture myself doing the whole newborn thing again. He is a happy kid and I hope he just stays that way!

Re: If you have only one child .....

Re: If you have only one child .....

My cousin (who I refer to as my sister b/c we are so close) was an only child. She always said she didn't care...especially because she had my brother and I. She never really felt like an only child. I guess it depends on a lot of things. My kids have no one here (no cousins, etc.) so if I had only 1 they, he would be pretty lonely at holidays, etc. But I always wanted 2, so I had 2. I don't think it matters...only children are as happy as kids with tons of siblings....

Re: If you have only one child .....

I am an only child and never minded at all. I just never knew any better - and I still reap the benefits of it to this day. I had a ton of cousins though who I consider to be like my siblings though so that could be why.

Message edited 4/2/2011 4:44:05 PM.

Re: If you have only one child .....

DS will be an only child and will just have to deal. I don't feel guilt for something we can't provide for him........

Re: If you have only one child .....

I am an only child, and have always been perfectly happy. There are moments, now that I'm older, when I think it might be nice to have a sibling to share special times and stressful times with...and looking ahead to help take on some of the responsibilities of helping parents as they age. I also know that I will never have a niece or nephew of my own, and that makes me a little sad.

On the other hand, there are no guarantees that siblings will get along, etc. I know people that have siblings and wish they were only children. It really all depends on the individuals, and you won't know until they grow up.

Growing up, and even now to some extent, I don't have a clear understanding of sibling relationships because I never had one...so there is no way for me to miss it.

I have close friends that are like sisters to me, their children call me their Aunt.

After all, your friends are the family you choose.

Make the decision that feels right for you...either way, I'm sure it will be great!

Re: If you have only one child .....

My DS is 18 months and BOTH DH and I are only children. I love being an only, DH is fine with it.

I often contemplate DS being an only child also. I just can't imagine making him have to share me with a sibling, I feel like I would be cheating him. I love giving him all of my attention and time.

But, the only thing that makes me consider having another is that both DH and I are onlies and so he has no true aunts, uncles, or cousins; as such, he would eventually grow up to not have much family. He sees my aunts and uncles now but he will surely outlive them by much and I fear he'll be alone.

Actually, I never even consider that my DS wouldn't like being an only child. I'd just tell him that he is like mommy/daddy. I wouldn't worry about it.

Re: If you have only one child .....

DH and I are both only children as well! I don't know of too many only children couples!

I did want a sibling but, I wasn't miserable that I didn't have one, KWIM?

DH and I have talked about DS - while we're perfectly content with just him, we'd like him to have a sibling. If for some reason, we can't give him a sibling, we're fine with that too.

Re: If you have only one child .....

Message edited 4/6/2011 2:55:07 PM.