If you are an only child please open-quick question

Options
pregmeg119
pregmeg119 Posts: 151 Member
in Chit-Chat
Quick Poll please!

My fiancee and I are undecided if we want to have another little one, our daughter is months away from turning 6 and keeps asking for a baby sister.

**Question: As an only child, did you prefer it just being you and your parent(s) or would you have liked to have a sibling?**

Disclosure: The results of your opinions are not a binding contract as to whether or not I get knocked up again ;)

Thank you in advance for your help!
«134567…12

Replies

  • SAC0O3
    SAC0O3 Posts: 95
    Options
    I was sort of an "only child". My brother is 10 years older than me, so even now we don't really talk. I worry the age gap is already too big (this is just my opinion though) but they would end up being nearly 7 years apart. So if they are anything like me and my brother, they wont really feel like "siblings". I love the guy, but he moved out by the time we were able to actually have conversations and now we just see each other on holiday. So, if you are going to have another child, just remember that. The age gap may be too big. This doesn't go for everyone though!
  • FrostyFour
    FrostyFour Posts: 262
    Options
    It was nice not having to share anything... but I didn't have anyone my age to play with or tell secrets to!
  • pregmeg119
    pregmeg119 Posts: 151 Member
    Options
    Thank you for your help, that is part of my opinion as well. We have a September wedding planned so at the very least they would be about 7 years apart if I got pregnant right after the wedding.

    My dad remarried and had children with my stepmom and I am 13 years older than them. They come to have sleepovers at my home and play with my daughter but don't talk much to me now, hopefully they can rely on me for tough questions when they are teenagers.
  • steadk
    steadk Posts: 334 Member
    Options
    I have found that into adulthood, i have stayed a loner because i was always with my mom and more mature for my age than most of my friends with siblings. We plan on giving our daughter a sibling one day, just gotta there lol
  • SpeedChick21
    SpeedChick21 Posts: 4 Member
    Options
    I'm an only child and honestly, I liked it. I had enough time spent with friends and family when I was younger and had lots of hobbies so it didn't really bother me too much. I occupied myself pretty easily with my horses. Might be different for someone with less hobbies or stuck in town.
  • Tropical_Turtle
    Tropical_Turtle Posts: 2,236 Member
    Options
    I was an only child. Sometimes it got lonely and wish I had someone to be with other than myself. But the upside to being an only child - I was able to entertain myself.

    I am actually thankful now I was an only child.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    Options
    Love your disclaimer :)

    I have one child - He's 5. There is very little chance of my ever having another. I say, if you can get knocked up and choose that route, better sooner than later? They'll already have a decent age gap, but doesn't mean they won't be awesome friends (especially as adults).

    Heck, go procreate! Or at least practice :)
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Options
    I am not an only child, but, my parents had my brother when I was six. I begged and begged and begged for them to have another kid. I am pretty sure I would do it over again....
  • April0010
    April0010 Posts: 178 Member
    Options
    I totally wished I had a sister growing up to play with.
  • pregmeg119
    pregmeg119 Posts: 151 Member
    Options
    It was nice not having to share anything... but I didn't have anyone my age to play with or tell secrets to!

    Thanks for sharing, I understand this as well but my fiancees two brothers also had two little girls a few months younger than our daughter so she does have cousins the same age. However, one of his brothers had another little girl and i think that is what sparked my daughters interest in having a little sister like her cousin does...
  • robinogue
    robinogue Posts: 1,117 Member
    Options
    my son is the only child. early on when people would ask him did he want a brother/sister he quickly replied "NO"... All through his young life people would ask me when I was having another child, he would quickly chime in "NEVER" lol needless to say he's 25 know and doesn't regret being the only child. He says he got more, didn't have to share me or his stuff haha
  • LilysMom28
    LilysMom28 Posts: 293 Member
    Options
    there are pros and cons to being an only child. I didn't have anyone to play with a lot of the time and was never able to have that bond that so many siblings have. I grew up really fast too because I was always around adults and I'm very independant as well.

    Good luck on which ever you decide to do. Your daughter will grow up great regardless!! :)
  • AmberJslimsAWAY
    AmberJslimsAWAY Posts: 2,468 Member
    Options
    Not an only child, and please don't be offended, but IME only children have a problem with being entitled. I just got out of a 3 year realtionship with one. a 29 year old man, didn't know how to stand on his own two feet without his mommy and daddy helping him and they "SHOULD DAMN IT!"
  • Kris1997
    Kris1997 Posts: 241
    Options
    I am an only child. Im my case, sometimes I would have liked someone around to talk to, to relate to. But in my situation I'm glad i was singleton because raising 2 kids would have been harder on my Mother as a single parent. To each their own. I have 2 kids, and 1 full time "step" child. I have 3, sometimes I don't understand why they fight over the dumbest things. then my husband reminds me, "your and only child, you wouldn't get it." LOL
  • scarlieoh
    scarlieoh Posts: 18
    Options
    I'm an only child and therefore a solitary creature. I would probably have been better off with siblings. Of course at the time I enjoyed it, but I was really spoiled and selfish and therefore now I have some social problems...

    I'm glad I'm an only child and everything but looking back I would have probably been a better person if I had grown up with siblings.
  • myak623
    myak623 Posts: 616 Member
    Options
    It was nice not having to share anything... but I didn't have anyone my age to play with or tell secrets to!

    You needed more imaginary friends.

    Honestly, I've been asked several times whether it would've been nice to have a brother or sister. I actually can't answer the question since I have no idea.

    I do think there are pros and cons. Since we have 3 kids now, I see that relationship they have and I think the pros out weigh the cons.
  • WhitneyT586
    WhitneyT586 Posts: 279 Member
    Options
    I was an only child for 9 years. I'm 25 and my sister is 16. She is such a joy in my life. Until she does something I don't approve of. But I think that is all siblings. The older one is always going to try to boss the younger one. I will admit that sometimes I feel more like I'm trying to be a parent than a sister, but then there are times when only a sister will do and those are the times I appreciate the most. You should do what is right for you and your family. If you want another child, go for it.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Options
    That's a difficult question to ask because as an only child I don't know what it would have been like to have a sibling. I liked my life as an only just fine, though.
  • j9mc
    j9mc Posts: 1
    Options
    I am an only child and to this day I wish I had had siblings. My mum was a single mum and very hands off, so I spent a lot of time on my own, not learning how to socialise properly, despite joining lots of sports activities etc. My advice would be to def try for another one. I understand the concern about the age difference though.
  • ttillman19
    ttillman19 Posts: 54 Member
    Options
    I am an only child. When I was little I wanted a brother or sister because then could share the chores and blame someone when I was not on my best behavior. However, I did not have to share attention. My mom was mostly a single parent, so time with her was not something I wanted to have to share. Looking back it would have been nice to have someone to be able to talk to and lean on. My husband and I had this very same converstation a few years ago. Glad we stuck with just one. I have time to give him the attention that he needs and feel another one would have made it very difficult to do that because of my husband's brain injury he sustained after our decision was made. Your daughter will have to give up some of your attention, your time, share toys, and not be the "baby" any longer.

Categories