What is it like being an only child? Would you recommend parents only having 1 child

Question

I've always wanted to have children, but my most recent motivator is that I don't want my son to be an only child. My dad always tells me it's the worst thing ever. Despite the love he got from his mom, there was something about being the only child. If you, or know of someone who is...did/do they hate it or love? Comments please

Answer

I'm an only child! Growing up I loved it. I mean, I also didn't know anything else, but I had no complaints! Now that I'm an adult, though, I do wish I had a sibling. Someone to be a friend and an Aunt/Uncle and share responsibility of our mom as she ages.

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Having two or more kids is no guarantee that they will even alike each other as children or when they grow up

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Thank you very much for all your responses ladies. It's actually quiet sad when my dad talks about it as well. It definitely isn't about the parenting, but the loneliness. There is something people often joke about "only child syndrome" and I believe it's real. Having cousins is not the same...they're your cousin's, not your siblings. Some people feel I'm being selfish for wanting a child for "just that reason". It is not the only reason, but the main.

I highly appreciate your responses. Enjoy your day ladies!

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I'm an only child and even though I enjoyed the attention from my parents (sometimes) and not having to share-- I always wished I had a brother or sister. Someone I could speak to/ laugh with and get in trouble with.

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I don't know whether to say yes or no because your question wasn't asking for a yes or a no. But my husbands older siblings are 10 years older and he always felt like an only child. He says he was really lonely and always wished for a sibling to hang with. :)

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I have a brother 4 years younger than me and I was lonely growing up. We played together sometimes but he was more aggrevating than anything. Now that we are grown we aren't that close. Maybe we talk once or twice a month. My parents each had 2 siblings. My mom barely speaks with her brother. My dad's brother died. Both have fought with their other sibling about care for elderly family members and have often not been on speaking terms. One sibling always ultimately takes responsibility. It's not shared. I have seen this in my husband's family too.

My daughter will be an only child. She'll be able to go to camp or play instruments and hopefully not incur huge college debt because I'll be able to provide for her financially better than if I had multiple children. She can make friends in school and through other social events. Hopefully she'll have neighbor friends. I didn't have those but really wished I did.

You do what's right for you and your family.

Answer

I was an only child to a single teenage mother.. I saw her struggle a lot but I had no cousins nor siblings. 
I don't blame my mother for not having anymore children.. She could barely cope with me. I was very much loved and cared for but I was VERY lonely. 
I have Asperger's syndrome too.. So I was very misunderstood and I couldn't make friends in clubs and schools. So it would of done me great to have siblings and cousins. 
My first cousin was born January this year! So she's 4 months 😊.

I'm currently pregnant with my first and am feeling kind of down that they won't experience what I did with my auntie !

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My fiancé is an only child and he was spoiled and it shows in his adult years now 🙄 thanks to him mom that always brings it up everyday 😤

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I am an only child (my mother tried she definitely wanted more) I was so lonely sometimes and I matured a lot quicker being around adults mostly and not having a lot of kids around my age in the neighborhood. I will try to give my baby another sibling one day because I always wished and was jealous of my friends who got that special bond.

Answer

I'm the oldest of 5 and it's great having 4 other siblings, we can share our lives and families together and birthdays and holidays are a lot of fun💙 my brother just had a baby boy and my son is 4 months old so they will get to grow up so close in age it's going to be fun!

What is it like being an only child? Would you recommend parents only having 1 child

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