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Parenting

Anybody out there who has only one child and doesn't want any more?

20 replies

TheSweetLittleBunny · 08/04/2008 14:02

We have DS aged 4.6.

Although he does have a step sister (DH's daughter) aged 8 who doesn't live here and we see her once a month.

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OverMyDeadBody · 08/04/2008 14:04

Me!

I have DS who is 5 and don't want any more. My family is complete.

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Iklboo · 08/04/2008 14:05

Me - DS is 2.4 and he won't be getting a baby brother or sister.

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mankymummy · 08/04/2008 14:07

Me. DS is 2+8. He's gorgeous but I couldnt do the sleepless nights etc. again espec. on my own.

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LessThanImpressed · 08/04/2008 14:09

Me too - ds is only 8months and is a delight, but I cannot for the life of me envisage doing all this again.

Here is a bit of feel-good reading about how good it is just having the one!

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TheSweetLittleBunny · 08/04/2008 14:12

Do your DC's have any cousin's that are close to their age.

DS has no cousins his age as all his neices and nephews are late teens or 20's. Sometimes I wonder if he's lonely. He has one main playmate who he sees often and his sister of course. I hope when he starts school he will have more regular friends.

I am not especially close to my (seven)siblings and was not even when we were growing up. And I know lots of people who don't get on with their borthers/sisters

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TheLittleElf · 08/04/2008 14:13

I read this as 'does anyone have one child they don't want anymore'

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Iklboo · 08/04/2008 14:14

DS has no younger cousins but childminder's friend has a DD about 7 months younger and he goes to playschool 3 mornings a week now which he loves.
The school we want him to go to is right next door to the house so they'll be plenty of children for him to play with too.
I'm an only one and can't remember being lonely

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OverMyDeadBody · 08/04/2008 14:15

lol littleElf! Why, would you be interested in taking them?

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LessThanImpressed · 08/04/2008 14:16

Yes ds has cousins but we all live so far apart I worry they'll never properly know each other. However I take heart from the fact that I too am an only child and have turned out a pretty well-rounded individual!
@ seven siblings.... can't begin to imagine what that must have been like! Shame that you are not close though.

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OverMyDeadBody · 08/04/2008 14:16

I have a big extended family, so don't usually even think about the fact that I only have one DC, it doesn't feel like I have a small family and he and I are certainly never lonely, we're all close and live in the same area, and cousins are on their way!

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LessThanImpressed · 08/04/2008 14:16

@ little elf!

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TheSweetLittleBunny · 08/04/2008 14:23

LOL litle elf

I love DS so much. I had an easy birth and pregnancy - but I just don't want, especially at 43 to have another child. When DSD comes to stay I must say I find it very, VERY hard having two children - because of having to accomodate two different sets of needs, jealousy, mood swings etc. I am very relieved when we revert to just the three of us - I know that sounds terrible but it's the truth.

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TheLittleElf · 08/04/2008 14:24

I'm a nanny so would be willing to take any kids of your hands as long as i can return them

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TheSweetLittleBunny · 08/04/2008 14:34

I had a look at that thread LessTanImpressed - it's so feel-good.

We do lots of stuff with DS both at home and out. He's bright, clever and confident and we absolutely adore him. I just don't see how having another child could improve his or our life.

I hate when people ask "when are you going to give him a brother/sister" as if there is somehow something wrong with our family unit

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Shoegazer · 08/04/2008 16:20

Me! I have one DD 21 months and have come to the carefully considered conclusion that our family is complete. She doesn't have any cousins and is unlikely to ever have any and our extended families live miles and miles away anyway. She does have two close playmates who she sees most days which I am very pleased for her about.

There is nothing wrong with one child in the family. I have also been asked when we are going to have another and some people are shocked when I say that we aren't, but others are really supportive. I'm not a great fan of the term "only child" because lots of people have "only 2 or only 3" etc compared to others. You make the right decision for your family.

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LessThanImpressed · 08/04/2008 16:24

I know, SLB, it really riles me when they imply you're somehow depriving your child by not having another. Why can't people respect the choices of others? Argh. I get asked that loads and ds is only 8 months Feel like telling them to mind their own business.
Sorry, rant over now!

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LessThanImpressed · 08/04/2008 16:24

good point shoegazer

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KateF · 08/04/2008 16:28

A friend of mine has one dd and never wanted any more. I have been shocked at the awful judgemental things people have said to her over the years. They are a happy family and their dd has certainly not suffered from being an only child-she's happy, sociable, well adjusted.

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Chopchopmissy · 08/04/2008 16:36

Me! No more ever. Love him to death but could not do it again

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TheSweetLittleBunny · 08/04/2008 21:12

One is definitely fun I think. Even if I were 20 years younger in this situation I would still feel the same. DH and I often ask each other how on earth people cope with having more than two children - not only from a financial point of view but from a spending adult time together viewpoint too.