Are only Children Lonely?

bluebell13

It was a very difficult time but I just wanted you to know that in time things do get better. Thanks for your concern though.

My son is okay, by the way!

loveandlight

Originally posted by Toto
I have 5 brothers, I am the only girl, for years I thought the sole purpose of a barbie doll was to be the target for airgun practice!

Anyway, we were close-ish as kids, had to be, there were so many of us, but we did fight for attention. Now we are all grown and in our 30s and 40s and to be honest we may as well be only children. WE see each other for weddings and funerals, that's it. We haven't fallen out, there are no issues, we do love each other to bits, but I think we grew up so on top of each other it drove us physically apart in lots of ways.

I can soooooo relate to this. I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers and we are not close at all for the same reasons you have mentioned. I have an only son who is ten and a half now. He did go through a phase of wanting a brother or sister and at times he stills mentions it. I can honestly say I have no guilt whatsoever about him being an only child because of my own experience and what I have seen in other families.

Spendless

I forgot to say my 4yo daughter also thinks she should have a sister as well as a brother. :rolleyes:

We live near the school and if she sees her nursery friends with their siblings she'll point them out saying "see Katie has a brother and a sister, and so does Isabelle and so does ........." :rotfl:

Pointing out even if I was to have a third she could easily get another brother instead doesn't daunt her, she just says then her brother will get a brother and a sister and I can have a girl for her after that. :eek:

So please don't worry, I'm sure asking for a sibling is something many kids go thru.

All the best. xx

pulliptears

I was an only child. My parents had a child some 16 years before me that died at birth, with the result I was wrapped in cotton wool and stifled.

At the time I didnt feel lonely, I had a few friends but ultimately I would always end up playing alone at home with the mountains of toys I had been bought so id want to stay in. I lived in my head a lot if that makes sense.

As I got older I found I kept myself to myself a lot. I had a tendancy to be quite selfish as I never had anyone else to consider really. Im 33 now and I still prefer my own company. OH has often commented that I dont share problems or talk to him if anything is wrong, but he has grown to realise its because I never had anyone to share with. I still like to slink off and be alone for a few hours!

Looking back I wish there had been another child, not in the least because it would have taken some pressure away from me. It was hard being so "protected". Maybe if there had been another it wouldnt have been so bad?
Jane
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