Only child

**Juice**

CBH88 wrote: »

I'm an only child, and everyone is always really surpised to learn this about me because I don't fulfill the only child 'stereotype'. QUOTE]

I get the same comments too There's a woman at work who fits every stereotype of being an only child and if it ever comes up in conversation it's "oh yes, she's just a typical only child.............oh wait, you're an only child aren't you? well you don't seem like one!"

Welshwoofs

There are so many stereotypes surrounding only children and that's evident in the fact the parents start to worry if they think there will only be one offspring.

I'm an only child now in middle age. I never had siblings so never missed them. I have friends and am not a loner, however one thing I have observed is that I'm more self-reliant than friends of mine who grew up with siblings at home. As an only child you can't always have friends round so you do learn to do things and play by yourself and that does stand you in good stead later in life.

Yolina

Welshwoofs wrote: »

There are so many stereotypes surrounding only children and that's evident in the fact the parents start to worry if they think there will only be one offspring.

I'm an only child now in middle age. I never had siblings so never missed them. I have friends and am not a loner, however one thing I have observed is that I'm more self-reliant than friends of mine who grew up with siblings at home. As an only child you can't always have friends round so you do learn to do things and play by yourself and that does stand you in good stead later in life.

^^^that^^^ I was perfectly happy being an only child

Sally_A

As a total aside....only children are great at being comfortable on their own, and tend to have better imaginations.

Recently found my old Monopoly set in the roof with ancient score sheets; I played against my soft toys, Teddy, Peter Panda and Edward Bear. Despite me rolling the dice for all of us Peter Panda won!

Binks Bunny, and Tiddler the bear must have been away that day!

I think that proves I am totally honest, and will use that old bit of paper in any court in the land! :rotfl::rotfl:

snowflake86

I'm an only child and love it! I'm from a very small family, and I'm particularly glad of that at this time of year, when I'm catching up with friends and they're telling me about their xmases and endless chasing from one relatives to the next!

As a kid my parents and grandparents took me and my friends out on day trips, had them over for tea and many sleepovers, so I don't feel that I missed out at all, as I got older a couple of them came on holiday with us too. My best friend is also an only child, and we have always called each other brother and sister, and still do now. We grew up together and are closer than many real siblings I know.


I learnt to be happy in my own company (although I've never lived alone and would never want to!) and very independent, if I wanted to do something and had noone who wanted to do it with me, I went and did it on my own!

p.s. not really a newbie, just a new name! :-)

Nara

Hi!

I only have one child my daughter who is 6 years old almost.

Altho my partner and I aren't old (34 and 32) my partner is not keen on having anymore children.

He is an only child and never had any problems with feeling lonely etc, whereas I am one of 4 which really put me off having a large amount of children as you can never get as much attention as you need/want from your parents. Also I am not really that close to any of my siblings, in fact it seems to be family dramas all round and life would be much calmer if it was just me :P


I went thro a phase of feeling like i really wanted another child, but as time has gone on I've begun to appreciate the benefits of having 1 child.
We can afford more in life, we only have a 2 bedroomed house which is crowded as it is, another child would make things worse and we can't really afford to move.
Theres so many things in life I would love to do and I feel having one child would make it easier to do this and afford to take her with me and for her to experience so many things I never had to chance to.

She can also wrap any adult around her little finger as she has so much experience lol, yet she does well at school and plays nicely with her friends, and we have taught her to share.
The thought of going back to nappies and sleepless nights also scares me, my daughter was very ill for the first 18 months of her life and it was the most stressful thing ever which i wouldn't want to go thro again.

I guess I'm lucky in the respect that I 'could' have more children if I wanted to but at the same time can see massive benefits in sticking with one child

Many people think its weird and not normal to only have one child but I can never really figure out why this is ? apart from giving them a sibling to play with? but it doesnt always work out that way, I have 3 siblings but would never turn to any of them in times of trouble and only remember fighting with them, even now we are all 'grown' up things have got no better *shrug*

Crimsonrage242

My experience of being an only child hasn't been great... I was bullied a lot at school, so I didn't have many friends until I was 10... Wasn't ever allowed pets... I now suffer a lot from anxiety (mainly from uni), have a fear of (new) people, and worry a lot about my dad (my only parent left - mum died when I was 22). I also fear about being alone - a lot. On the plus side, I now have two lovely gorgeous cats and partner - so not all bad.

WhiteHorse

Cubs and Scouts, or the Army, Sea, or Air cadets. Sports, hiking or other such clubs. This would do any child a great deal of good.

meritaten

I dont see why only children should be lonely children. As long as you encourage your child to socialise - and dont mind other children coming for 'playdates' or sleepovers - which you seem to have thought about anyway, then he probably wont miss the lack of siblings!
Siblings arent always what they are cracked up to be anyway! my mum wanted long gaps between kids - so I am older than bro by 6 years (so had absolutely nothing in common with him and was of an age where I resented him! I also had to have this kid with me all the time - mum seemed to think that it was MY job to look after him!) then when I was nearly thirteen mum had my sis - I nearly died of embarrasment! I wasnt much into babies either - but - yes you guessed it - I was old enough in my mums eyes to 'mind' sis too! MIND her??????? I damn near brought her up! mum was always busy with 'housework'!
I love both my bro and sis - but as we were so far apart in age - we really didnt have much in common when they were young and I felt like more of a parent than a sibling!
As adults (and I am knocking on a bit now - I get on better with sis - who seems to think that I am 'mum' more than with with bro who remembers me as this bossy mare of a sis). so there are pros and there are cons!

Person_one

Welshwoofs wrote: »

There are so many stereotypes surrounding only children and that's evident in the fact the parents start to worry if they think there will only be one offspring.

I'm an only child now in middle age. I never had siblings so never missed them. I have friends and am not a loner, however one thing I have observed is that I'm more self-reliant than friends of mine who grew up with siblings at home. As an only child you can't always have friends round so you do learn to do things and play by yourself and that does stand you in good stead later in life.

I had a sibling and I'm pretty self reliant, live alone and am comfortable in my own company.

Everybody is different, its impossible to say that having or not having siblings is the thing that made you who you are.