If you are an only child please open-quick question

I'm an only child and always wanted a brother or sister for company and I think in later life as a friend....I never knew my Dad so my family is now my mum, nan, one uncle and 2 cousins. I would love a big family!

I am not an only child I have a brother who is very close in age and although I love him, we fought like cat and dog when we were children!

Some really good friends of mine are only children and they are some of the most well balanced people I know in life so I think it all depends on how you bring up your child/children and not how many you have.

I am 33 and have no kids (yet!) but I don't think we will be able to afford more than one, and the chances of me having another one after the one we haven't had yet are getting slimmer by the year, so I think I will be happy even if we just have an only child...

I definitely am not an only child, but I am the baby. My sister is three years older than me and my brothers are 9 and 10 years older than me. I love my sister more than anything in this world, and I'm super glad I have her. I mean I have friends and everything, but no one can compare to my big sis. As for my brothers, we're pretty close. But that gap has made a difference in our relationship. I feel as we grow older we get somewhat closer, but it won't hold a candle to the relationship i have with my sis

I LOVE being an only child. I never once, even younger, felt I was missing something. It made me a very independent, strong woman. Only have another if you want another. Don't feel you are damaging your daughter if you don't.

I have several other only children friends (we tend to stick together) and they say the same things. One even had to deal with a dying father last year. Even though hard, his mom and him were the only ones that had to make decisions. Less fighting, less stress.

I learned to play well on my own and had several friends growing up that had 3-4 siblings. If I got bored I went to their house. Usually within 2-3 hours I was on the phone crying to come home! LOL

I was not an only child. I had one sister that was 2 years younger than me! I loved it. Having someone to goof off with someone to be home alone w/ during the summers when we were old enough. Building forts in the living room w/ blankets and chairs. Knowing that no one will share the same experiences growing up as you and your sibling.

I have 4 children now. I LOVE it. I love the interaction. I love the different personalities. I love everything about it. I refused to have only one child. One of the reasons I have refused to do so is because of my experiences as a nurse. I have seen too many times that when something happens to a parent (health-wise) and say the other one has passed away. Everything is left on that child to manage. The decisions, etc. They don't have much to turn to for help or support. Some family and friends would be there, but NO ONE can share the connection like a sibling. I'm sorry for bringing that scenario up, but I am being realistic.

My daughter and son are 5 years apart. I love it. She is like a little momma! If you were worried about the age gap... have 2 close together : )

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!"

I have 1 son, and his sense of entitlement is outstanding. Everything should be done for him while he sits and plays his video games. I don't want another child however, one is enough for me (and even then he's my step-son). If you want another child, go ahead...I'm 8 years younger than my oldest sister, and although she is my "mother" figure, she still takes care of me even though I'm 31 years old. Age difference doesn't really matter, they're both still in the house, and at least you can get a little help when you're trying to take care of the baby.

I agree with with a couple people above said, it's kinda two sided. I have two half brothers, one that is 9 years older than me and one that is 7 years younger than me. I never became close to either of them due to the age gap in fact, I don't honestly have many memories of being close to them ever. My older brother was out of school by the time I was started middle school, and is now marries with 2 kids. Our most recent conversation was over the phone 6 months ago, " Hello? oh yeah I'm fine, you? Oh okay, here's mom." LOL As for my younger brother... Haven't spoken to him in years. On one hand I loved that I had all the attention to myself, didn't have to share anything and the house was pretty much quiet (I'm an introvert). On the other hand I often wonder how different things would have been with the huge crazy family and siblings to share things with. All in all though, I'm actually really happy that (for the most part) I was an only child. I think that's a huge reason for my creativity and studious side, my mom and I are super close, and I like the person I became today. However, each person/kid are different, just depends on the personality I guess. But really.... If you want another kid, just go for it. ;D I doubt it would do any harm more than good. Good luck either way!

When I was around your daughters age, and slightly older, I REALLY wanted a sibling. As I got older though I quite liked being an only child, no sibling to annoy me when I just wanted peace, more time with my parents etc etc I liked doing my own thing as well, so a new baby brother or sister would've ruined that.
That said, if I was younger when they came along I probably would've adapted, as children do. I don't think anybody (or many people) resent that their parents gave them a sibling, even if they don't always get on.

Also, when I was 8/9 years old, my mum and I lived with my aunt and 2 cousins (when my parents split) for a year. After that I used to stay round my friends house after school everyday for like 2 years (they had 4 kids) so I've had the experience of living with other children for a short while. I wouldn't say all I remembered were bad times, there were many times I'd get annoyed and what to be by myself, but then I enjoyed a lot of times too.

I am an only child. I can say that being an only child made me learn how to find ways to amuse myself when I was a child, since I never had a brother or sister to play. The downside of this is that when I became older I didn't see much use for having friends because I could have just as much fun alone as I could with other people. Therefore I didn't really have any desire to meet new people, and it wasn't because I was shy, I just didn't see any reason to. So that made me a little anti-social. Still am today, but I don't recognize that as being a bad thing like most people do, it just makes me different.

I'm an only child and growing up, I preferred it that way. Now that I'm living on my own and starting my own family, I kind of wish I had a sibling or two. I think of when my parents will be dead and gone and I won't have anyone, my family is very small. I struggle with the decision to have another child so my daughter will have a sibling as well.

I would have loved having a sibling. Even now, caring for my elderly mom it would be nice to have someone to help. Everything is up to only me. Surprise 75 birthday party - my planning, my cost. Keeping her entertained - she lives with me. I don't MIND any of that but it's better shared I think. Also, I'm always envious with others talking about stories they share from growing up together. I had to play boardgames by my self!!! lol Pets can only help SO much....When I got married I wanted at least 2 - and that's what I got. And I like that they have each other - to talk to, to be there for, to share things. They are grown and married but they still are close and still help each other thru life issues just by listening and having someone to talk with. Hope that helps!

I was an only child for 13 years. I wanted a sibling until about age 10, and then when my sisters were born, I felt more like they were my children rather than playmates.

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!

Being an only child sucks. I am one.

Now, don't get me wrong, it was fun at times - undivided attention and whatnot, but what has to be considered and many don't seem to consider, is the other end of the spectrum as well as having siblings to run amok with. (and seriously, as much as my friends gave out about their siblings, I still am jealous of the closeness they all have!!!)

I dread the day when my parents will die. I suppose everyone does, but I won't have anyone to be there with me. Yes, I have my husband and my own 4 kids, but that's not the same. It'll all be up to me. Arrangements and whatnot. I really, truly wish I wasn't an only child.

Being an only child, for me, was and is another kind of loneliness.

just my tuppenceworth. In the end, what matters is what you decide yourselves and you need to make a decision you can be happy with

My best friend is an only child, and I think the very hardest thing for her was when she lost her mother and father in the same year - then she was all alone. She said she really wished she had a sibling to get through that loss with.

I'm an only child and I always wished I had siblings. My upbringing was rough and it would have been nice to have allies. Now, my mother is sick and I'm the only one she has. It would be nice to have someone to share this with.

I had 3 kids because I never wanted my child to grow up alone and feel the way I did.