Janty Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I was reading the post about Vegemite and thought about the merits of being an only child. I am an only child and my son is. I had the best of both worlds with friends around when I wanted them and peace when I wanted it. Just wondered if there were any more only children out there. Oh, and I know that it's fashionable to knock us but I've heard it all before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanut12 Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Very happily an only child - keeps things simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I am ...and interestingly my two best friends are also only children....but I hated it, and hence we have two children ( started a bit too late to fit in the four I craved) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Rosie is an only child, not intentionally though. She doesn't get on the forum much these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I'm an olny child, though not through my parent's choice. I have 2 children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I'm one of six and would love to have been an only child (with a different saet of parents!) Having said that I have 4 children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Actually nowadays I don't think it is fashionable to knock only children Janty Most families have both parents working and even then money can be tight so its not surprising that many people end up with just one child These days at least some form of day care is within grasp of most peoples budgets even if its only a few hours a day, also some employers have clocked on to the benefits of offering childcare vouchers so those only children still get interaction with others If my biological clock doesnt explode and if I can get over my fear of ick I will only ever have one child Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I'm an only child and I hated it. I was constantly in the middle and (as I keep telling my children) when I get old and smelly they can make a joint decision to put me in a home, and they can say "I don't want to visit Mum, it's your turn, I went last week!" Whereas when my Mum and Dad get old it's all down to me! I've had both of them ill at the same time already and it means I have to be in two places at once as they both live in separate towns. As such I've got three children, would have liked four but too old and tired (and single!! ) BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I am and I wasnt spoiled - I hated it wanted an older brother but it wasnt to be. Parents over protective but hey thats the same in many famillies without only children. I was going to have one as I had PND and really struggled but then decided to have another 5 yrs later. Would have loved a big brood but lack of help, depression and money and now age - wasn;t to be - love my 2 boys though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I was in the sense that my stepsister was left home before I came on the scene - adopted by my mum and dad when my mum was 46!! I therefore was at home all on my own - hated it and would have love company on winter nights. I have 2 children and glad I dont have just one but what will be will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henriette Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I was an only child and sometimes I loved it and sometimes I hated it. All in all though, I was very lucky as I had wonderful parents. Yes I was spolit sometimes, but I was also brought up strictly and knew where the boundries were. Is it the same, I wonder, for a lot of children today. I must add that I am in my sixties, so am probably very old fashioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenuk99 Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Well I am in my thirties and I feel the same, had a good balanced childhood. We are not all spoilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I am and I wasn't spoiled. I did always think I was missing out by being on my own and I swore I would have 2 or 3 kids myself. Then I had one and I knew that I would never have another! So now James is an only child. He is spoilt rotten though! But then look at us - 3 generations living in one big house and yes we spoil him - in the charity shops, at the boot sale and with our time and love. Oh and today he actually wanted something, new, and he got it but only because he needed some of it - he is starting football at school, needs shin pads and some football socks to wear them with. He wanted a Chelsea kit - sports Soccer (or whatever they are called this week!) one kit, shin pads, job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 My oldest son was an only child for the first 11 years. Even though he had a wonderful childminder for many years and made very good friends with her children, he always wanted his own brothers and sisters. So when the other two came along he was absolutely delighted and doted on them. Now however, he has changed his mind and I think he misses those days when he had our undivided attention and "Ooops, word censored!"ody raiding his room for computer games Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Actually nowadays I don't think it is fashionable to knock only children Janty I'm an only child. And I am seriously thinking about only trying for one because of this: http://www.optimumpopulation.org/opt.toomany.uk.html David Attenborough is their patron. It's a hugely unpopular take on limiting people's choice and their cuddly bunny fairytale attitude to having lots of kids, but we have to start considering how much longer we can live the way we do, in the numbers we are doing it in. OH wants more than one. He comes from a brood, and thinks only children are spoilt. I think siblings have just as many if not more issues. The famous Philip Larkin line about parents is true no matter how big your family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 I'm an only child and loved it :D I had lots of friends and never felt that I was missing anything by being an only child I have 2 children and if you asked either of them, they both wish they were an only child Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 I have only one child, but not by choice. My DS is 6 now but having another 'just hasn't happened'. Still trying. I try not to spoil him but its almost impossible although I do have limits on how much I spend at Birthday's and Christmas and I don't think its anymore than if he had a brother or a sister. Advantages of being an only child is that I get to spend lots of time with him and we can read and practice writing to our hearts content. It does make me laugh though because I have a friend who has 2 children one older girl of about 9 and a boy who is 5 and a friend of my son. When the older girl is doing something else - say at a friends for tea - my son gets invited round to play with his friend. I find it wierd that she doesn't actually want to spend a bit of QT with him on his own. Of course we go to friends for tea and invite them back to us but at the same time I think it's good for children to learn to entertain themselves rather than having everything laid on my mum!! He would love a brother or a sister and tells me so almost every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I'm married to an only child, who is still the most spoilt person I've ever met. Even though she is MD of her own company her parents (both pensioners) can't resist those "little treats". The "Brat" is also an only child, which isn't really a problem to us but ......... The "Brat" is also the only Grandchild between both sets of our parents, (the only grandchild).This caused numerous problems when she was younger as both sets of Grandparents "competed" with each other about everything. Made life very easy for babysitters, school holidays etc but became quite "tedious" after a short time. Ended up as quite a big row for a while. Now it's controlled it's not so bad, and as she's started driving lessons recently everyone is desperate to buy her "the first car", Don't let me stop them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Not angry or bitter at all Clash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I was an only child from the age of 8 when my brother then aged 5 died in an accident 9/11 has other memories for us because he died on 11th September 1975 I hated being an only, my brother and I were like most siblings and not close but I always wanted my parents to have another child. I can understand why they didn't but I was lonely because we lived in the middle of nowhere. They didn't cosset me in fact they went a bit too far the other way and once I hit my teens there were no hugs and I was encouraged to be independent and left home at 19. I felt have felt very alone over recent years when they have both been seriously ill and I live 150 miles away. It would be nice to have a sibling to share things with. I always said that I didn't want an only child, I now have 3 and they are pretty close which is nice and hopefully this will continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I was an only child from the age of 8 when my brother then aged 5 died in an accident How sad I read this thread with fascination as I'm the eldest of 5. Being an only child when you have had a sibling must be a very different experience to being an only child that has always been that way. I love being part of a big family but don't know anything different. Recently myself and 3 of my siblings were at a significant family event that our youngest brother couldn't make as he was on holiday and we all found it weird and unpleasant to have almost all of us together but have one missing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 I still find it hard even now, we weren't particularly close but he was my little brother . It is quite strange that my BIL is pretty much the same age as my bother would have been now. We get on pretty well so I have sort of adopted him as my extra brother My 3 don't like it if one of them is away overnight, we spend a lot of time together as a family and I hope that they will keep this closeness as they go into adult life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 OH and I both have brothers and sisters but Son is an only child. I only wanted one, and after Post Natal Depression that was probably a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BocBoc Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 I'm the only child from my mum and dad - I have two steps and two halfs. My steps are horrible and I don't care if I never see them again but I long for a relationship with my half brother and half sister (siblings from my dad's first marriage before he met my mum - the horrible steps are from his current wife number three - they have been married for 26 years and now live in Barbados) and their children, my neices and nephews. I'm the youngest at 31. When I was growing up I always longed for a brother or sister but more than anything I just wanted my dad to be around. After years of being on the receiving end of my step sisters antics, I'm quite relieved she is not actually blood related to me and I'm much better off being an only!! If I do have children someday then I'd love to have a house full and be a proper Ma Lakin type - the chickens are my first step!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
