Only children?
Show your support
We have just 1 and feel the same guilt. He's 2 and while I think it's probably quite nice growing up as an only child because there's no sharing of toys or attention, we can put all our energy and resources into just 1 child and not worry about appearing to favour 1 over another. I do really worry about when we are no longer around though and who would he to turn to if he needed support etc. I know he will have friends and hopefully a partner and family of his own but I keep thinking what if he doesn't, he'd have no family left once we are gone 😕 I have noticed though the majority of friends and people in our area seem to be sticking with just 1 child so maybe with a generation of more only children they will form stronger more family like bonds with their friends than I did as a child with siblings
I have twins but I was an only child and it was absolutely the best childhood I could have had. Being an only child as an adult is just as good!
@Stacey 🇵🇸 what do you think it was that made you love it so much? Really want to make sure his childhood is as good as I can make it without siblings.
I grew up pretty poor so I didn’t get a lot of “stuff” but I got a lot of one on one attention from my mom which was fantastic for my development. I loved having my own quiet space that I could retreat to, I wasn’t forced to share, forced to live with unwanted noise or distraction, and I got to do what I wanted when I wanted to do it within reason. I loved going into the woods, drawing, reading, etc. It’s a common trope that only children are selfish but my mom did a great job at teaching me how to think of others, practice empathy, all the typical stuff.
@Stacey 🇵🇸 really hope he grows up to feel the same way about being an only. Thank you for your insight x
I feel the same except I would love to give my 2yo a sibling but due to financial worry (having kids in US is so expensive!), and the fact that 1 child is already exhausting, plus the fact that I didn’t like being pregnant, I am very reluctant with having a second but I feel extremely guilty with keeping my son alone. I think ones experience with their parents isn’t necessarily what our children will experience especially considering you both seem like caring individuals, so their upbringing will be different. Everything is taught or passed on, so it’s up to you as parents to show love and appreciation for family and between siblings. Will they fight? Yes. But if they’re taught to say sorry and to love each other, then you’ll be fine. Also if they have a good parental model.