The Truth About Only Children

I had my son @ age 38 and we've decided to stop there. I know how tired we both were when he was a baby - and I really don't want to go through that again (now that I'm in my 40's). Plus - we want our son to have every opportunity possible in this difficult world. He's already set for college and we take great comfort in that. We consider ourselves lucky to have one happy/healthy child and don't feel that we'll have any regrets in the future... Votes: +19

As an only child growing I did reap the benefits that singledom allows. I am now 45 years old. After spending the last 15 years taking care of chronically ill parents, I can honestly say there is no benefit of my childhood that can make up for the pain and stress I've had while dealing with this. I understand that there are physical reasons that parents can not have more than one child. However, for those that use extracurricular activities as their excuse, I think going without tap dance lessons would be have been a pretty good sacrifice to have had help once my parents became ill. No one intends to burden their children, however no one knows what the future holds. Even with all the money in the world, the emotional burden should be shared, as well. Please think twice before stopping after one child. The early advantages do not outweigh the long term toll. Votes: +20

I have 3 siblings, we don't get on at all and I wish I was an only child. I am embarra*sed by them they drink and swear. I don't like to tell other people that we are related.
They've made a mess of most of their children, I've put all my time into my 1 child to give him the best opportunity in life. You only have the childhood years once to prepare your child for the world out there.
It was not my choice to have 1 child, but I was widowed when he was 3 years old and as a single mum I was glad I only had the one child. We have a wonderful relationship. Votes: +9

I think having one child is just as spectacular as having many. I feel it is quality instead of quantity. An only child now a days is better off with all the reasons the article gave. Besides as the saying goes : you can pick your friends but you can't pick your family. Having siblings always has the rivalry and competing factor involve when they are older. Even when the parents are old and not well there is the "who is carring their load and when they pa*s,,,who deserves what." Family gatherings are fine but most people can't wait till they are over. I come from a family of four kids and we are the "normal' close family..but most of my sleepless nights are from family confrontations that I much rather live with out. I have one son and he is very happy,bright, friendly, caring and secure. So have as many children as you wish as long as you can take care of them in a happy and healthy way. Votes: +11

I came from a large family and was never allowed to verbally and sometime phyiscally defend myself against my parents and siblings, so I finally stop going to see my family on the holidays. Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. My parents don't understand why I don't call and/or write to them. If they added up the number of times, they have a verbal confrontation and/or conversation with my other siblings and compare that to the number of times they had them with me, maybe they will finally understand why I don't wanted to communicated with them. When my parents come to the end of their lives, there will be nothing to bring the family members together, so I am prepare to live my life when that happens. Votes: +0

As an only child. I reaped many of the rewards of having my parents to myself. We are close and we have a good relationship. But, I worry about the future when I am the only one who will be there to take care of my parents. I watched as each of my parents took care of their own parents with their brothers and sisters and I think I won't have anyone to help me with that. After they are gone. There will be no one that I can share my past with. At least if I had a sibling I would have someone who knew me "back when"
Votes: +16

I am an only child, granted the economy was a little cheaper back then, but I absolutely do miss out on simple life things. For example, I will never be able to say my sister or brother. My children will never have an aunt or uncle. While everyone is so focused on the money and economics, try focusing on your childs life. Your child will not have those brother sister fights or sibling bonds. I got almost everything I wanted as an only child but had no one to share them with. Votes: +23

I was an only child, and I agree and disagree with this article. It seems like this article is mostly talking about how easy it is for the parents, and not any "truths" about us onlys. It's true that we don't have to share with siblings, but that doesn't mean we're selfish (they got this right). Most only children are better at sharing because it's the key to making friends for them, and it makes them almost overly-generous later on in life. The few onlys I knew in school were somewhat antisocial, like me, because we grew up around adults and didn't know how to interact with others our age. I still have difficulties a*sociating with people my age (18-25) but I can get along great with 30+ age people. I also found my self-esteem was lower than that of my peers, because one of the problems of being an only child is that all of the focus is on every thing that he/she does. A good deed gets a lot of praise, almost a ridiculous amount, and any wrongdoing gets focused on for longer lengths of time. The biggest thing I missed was the bonding-like on snow days, when my mom was at work, I had to stay home by myself and read or watch TV, instead of making snowmen and having snowball fights. Households flow better with more than one child, and it makes everyone a little happier. To new parents, I would say: don't have just one because it's financially easier. You'll have an overabundance of love and joyful memories with two or three children. Votes: +14

I am an only child. Although I was spoilt, it was always lonely not having someone to have my back. I did have the greatest childhood but when my parents pa*sed, I was left an orphan. I would have given anything to have a sibling. I now have two children and hopefully more in the future, I feel better knowing that after I am gone the will have each other Votes: +13