Any other moms grew up an only child?

Gorett - posted on 02/21/2010

I am an only child and have chosen to have only one (she's 3 1/2) due to health conditions on my part. As an only child I was never "spoiled" materialistic and never felt lonely. Many of the people that I grew up with were only children and that was in the 70" & 80"s! My best friend from childhood is more like my sister and we act just like siblings would even though we are not related by blood she knows me better than anyone else. I know that she will be by my side through anything (and she has) where many people that I know that have siblings would not.

Many of my circle of friends have only children and it works out great because our kids will have that in common. For my husband and me, the only reason to have more children is because the parents want to and not because it is the thing to do. My husband and I are happy with just our daughter and want to continue to travel and to live a comfortable life with our daughter and to not struggle financially. We love our life as it is and want to continue that lifestyle with our daughter!

Regina - posted on 02/21/2010

Great insight both ways ladies, I'm sure not all siblings get along as well as some "onlies" long for company. We just have to continue to be mindful of others situations and not impose our opinions on others who may feel that their situation is the ideal one for them and their family.

Bethany - posted on 02/19/2010

I would say to never have another child for company for another. There is no telling if they will get along at all. We should only be having extra kids if we ouselves want extra kids, and if we can afford them.
I say one income, one kid.
If it's company you're after, have friends over, go to playgroups, activity groups, sports groups, choirs, whatever and she will have her fill of other kids, and make some friends that she will hold closer even than a sibling.

Katy - posted on 02/19/2010

Wow this is a great subject! I was not an only child but always wished I was. LOL! My daughter though is and may always be just that. I never saw a problem with it or questioned it until recently. She randomly talks about wanting a brother or sister.and has got to the point where she will not do much independently especially at night or in the dark. I mainly wonder if it's lonely without siblings when you are younger and older? We do not have a large extended family either (aunts uncles cousins etc.) I have considered another child but I worry there is too large of an age difference for them to really be close, it would conflict with her activities, and she cannot stand babies (cause they drool and don't listen) Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!

Shannon - posted on 02/19/2010

i was an only child andmy parents were divorced before i was 2. then they both were/are with the same person after that ever since. so essentially i have had 4 parents my whole life. ive always been bothered by the statement that i am spoiled. yeah i may have had more because i was the only child to get all the attention but my parents taught me moderation and how to appreciate what i have. i am now a single mom of the best lil boy and i cannot have anymore children. im glad since i am single that i have just one. i still worry anyway but its only bout him and i dont/wont have multiple schedules to juggle.

Bethany - posted on 02/18/2010

I have to say, I'm the youngest of six, and I wish I had been an only child. My siblings are all much older than me, four of them over 10 when I was born. I had one sister 4 years older as well, so we played, but she left home when I was 14, so I had mum to my self for 7 years after that.



My whole family is disjointed, I speak to one brother and one sister, and they all speak or don't speak to various ones also. My parents are also divorced (after 34 years of marriage) There's alot to be said for a nice little one child family.



Charlotte is well disciplined, and is dressed in handmedowns and charity shop clothes for the most part, and has the same with her toys. If we buy a new toy, she will have to select a toy to give to charity when she is older.



She will be far from spoiled, believe me.



People say to me,"oh you must give her a sister or brother" and I say "good grief why?! Siblings are over rated, and over priced"

Jeanette - posted on 02/18/2010

I was an only child too - I feel like my experience was good like you have described yours - I have not run into anyone discouraging having just one child - sorry that you have - but I wonder what makes some people think it's a bad thing? LIke you say - you turned out ok and if that is the way it will be then that is ok - I wonder what someone making that comment would say if you turned it around and said "Well I wasn't aware you thought that my upbringing was lacking..."

Katie - posted on 02/16/2010

I was an only child and now it seems my 13 year old daughter will also be an only child...its just the way things worked out. I think being an only is a mixed bag. On the one hand my childhood was very lonley because I had two parents who were preoccupied with other things, some neccessary some not; however, I have known others that say they had a much diffrent, positive experience. My daughter seems to be fine. I work my schedule around her school scedule so I can be there for her, I go out of my way to make sure she gets friend time, and because its only her, frankly we have more money to spend on activities. The most offensive thing that I have heard and I know she hears too is tha only children are spoiled. yes its easier to pay for one music lesson rather than two or three but honestly I have yet to meet truely spoiled only child. I think its a grass is greener scenerio with the kids of bigger families.

SHAMA - posted on 02/16/2010

Having an only child gets frustrating as the child grows and starts to question his or her lonliness as sometimes a parent cannot fill in the gap by providing company and sharing fun and play,even though you become a child yourself while playing with ur kid,there is surely a time when you have to respond to ur kid's queries and to really do something about it.