Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think life with one child looks soooo easy

308 replies

justwonderingreally2 · 09/08/2024 15:09

It’s such a stupid thread as I love my children so don’t want to give one up but my god on the very very very rare occasion I only have one it feels so easy.

All my friends only have one and it’s so calm. Going on holiday soon, everyone else has one child, I have two. I’m stressed already.

Does anyone else ever think this?

OP posts:
Marchitectmummy · 09/08/2024 15:32

haplessharpy · 09/08/2024 15:27

I've got 5. I couldn't even remember a time when I wasn't spinning plates and feeling stressed....until today. I'm currently sitting in a beer garden in the sunshine drinking a beer whilst DD age 8 colours with the pubs crayons opposite me. This never happens and my God, it's bliss. So easy and relaxed.

But having said that I wouldn't change a thing. I'd still have had five given my time again.

Ha we have 5 too, all girls I know how you feel. I wouldn't change it either however for all of you 1 child families don't listen to families telling you of the bliss of siblings playing together. It doesn't always go like that believe me. Ours are all close in age / same age and if I asked any of them they would choose a friend to play with or each other.. each would choose a friend.

purpleme12 · 09/08/2024 15:32

I have one and it is not calm 😂 far from it 😂

Maybe these people have calm children lucky them 😂

TomeTome · 09/08/2024 15:31

I have five, two would be a rest. Honestly just get on with it, it’s not a competition.

OchreShoes · 09/08/2024 15:31

I don't think anybody needs to start feeling guilty just because other people have a different opinion. All families look different and it's nice to ponder different realities on an anonymous board.

Cangar · 09/08/2024 15:31

PeatandDieselfan · 09/08/2024 15:20

I don't agree. All the people I know who have only 1 massively over-complicate things. Basically, if you don't have a 2nd one, you never get out of the PFB stage.

Maybe some people. I have one (not by choice as it happens) and he’s beautifully behaved and really great company and I find parenting him no bother at all.

GirlMumGabby · 09/08/2024 15:31

Sorry new here, what is PFB stage?

I have one 4 year old and life is very easy. I had a lot of mum guilt thinking she would miss out not having siblings. But I'm leaning towards having just one.

TorroFerney · 09/08/2024 15:31

justwonderingreally2 · 09/08/2024 15:09

It’s such a stupid thread as I love my children so don’t want to give one up but my god on the very very very rare occasion I only have one it feels so easy.

All my friends only have one and it’s so calm. Going on holiday soon, everyone else has one child, I have two. I’m stressed already.

Does anyone else ever think this?

Yes I have one and she was a calm one when tiny so everything else looks like bedlam from my perspective! I’m also an only child as is my husband so haven’t known anything else.

KrisAkabusi · 09/08/2024 15:30

I say to my kids "When you have one child, you think maybe I should have two. When you have two children you think, I should have stopped at one!"

TokyoSushi · 09/08/2024 15:29

PeatandDieselfan · 09/08/2024 15:20

I don't agree. All the people I know who have only 1 massively over-complicate things. Basically, if you don't have a 2nd one, you never get out of the PFB stage.

Yes I agree with this. I'm an only one and I have two. A lot of the people that I know with one really over complicate things and often it can look more difficult than my 2!

JoalGk · 09/08/2024 15:28

Depends on the child! One of mine needs loads of attention at home but is super easy out of the house. The other is super easy at home and never gets bored but is harder to take out in public.

haplessharpy · 09/08/2024 15:27

I've got 5. I couldn't even remember a time when I wasn't spinning plates and feeling stressed....until today. I'm currently sitting in a beer garden in the sunshine drinking a beer whilst DD age 8 colours with the pubs crayons opposite me. This never happens and my God, it's bliss. So easy and relaxed.

But having said that I wouldn't change a thing. I'd still have had five given my time again.

Scorchio84 · 09/08/2024 15:27

@nomchonge1 thanks jesus like there's enough guilt involved in being a single parent & working & now this is a thing

TwistedSisters · 09/08/2024 15:27

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 09/08/2024 15:14

I have 3 and I feel like that about people who only have 2…! 😊

Absolutely this 😂

OchreShoes · 09/08/2024 15:26

PeatandDieselfan · 09/08/2024 15:20

I don't agree. All the people I know who have only 1 massively over-complicate things. Basically, if you don't have a 2nd one, you never get out of the PFB stage.

I do agree a little with this.

I have three adult children and although sometimes it was hard going, i would not want to miss the lovely adult relationships they have between them for anything.

There have been times I've thought back on their childhood and wondered if it would have been simpler if they could have been rolled into one.

DoubleCoatedDogs · 09/08/2024 15:25

PeatandDieselfan · 09/08/2024 15:20

I don't agree. All the people I know who have only 1 massively over-complicate things. Basically, if you don't have a 2nd one, you never get out of the PFB stage.

What a load of bollocks. 🙄

sunshineandshowers40 · 09/08/2024 15:25

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 09/08/2024 15:14

I have 3 and I feel like that about people who only have 2…! 😊

I feel the same!

Scorchio84 · 09/08/2024 15:25

PeatandDieselfan · 09/08/2024 15:20

I don't agree. All the people I know who have only 1 massively over-complicate things. Basically, if you don't have a 2nd one, you never get out of the PFB stage.

Is this a joke?

nomchonge1 · 09/08/2024 15:24

Scorchio84 · 09/08/2024 15:19

well that makes me feel like shit...

Show quote history

Dont let it - its a narrow minded and ignorant thing to say..

bookworm14 · 09/08/2024 15:24

Basically, if you don't have a 2nd one, you never get out of the PFB stage.

The thread has been up for 10 minutes and we already have negative stereotyping of one-child families. Is this some kind of record?

Original poster
justwonderingreally2 · 09/08/2024 15:24

I’m not a single parent but I am on my own a lot with them due to DH work and they are only little (3 and 13 months.)

OP posts:
Longdueachange · 09/08/2024 15:24

I liked having two, as there was always a playmate or someone to aggravate! It took the pressure off me a little to entertain as I could supervise whilst doing my usual jobs. Whatever your situation has its pros and cons. I did used to miss the one on one time with my eldest.

Jazzjazzyjulez · 09/08/2024 15:23

I have one and I have to say, having two looks so stressful.

As someone who came from a family with multiple, I don't buy the always having someone to play with things - we bickered and fought way more than we played.

I honestly think to myself all the time how much I love having one kid - she gets so much of our time and attention. I don't know how I would split like that with another. I also like that when we need a break it is very easy to hand over control to the my partner. No need to divide and conquer as they say.

Different things suit different people, I guess but my life is definitely much less stressful than my friends with multiples!

Juyjuly32 · 09/08/2024 15:21

Are you a single parent? How old are your kids?. Comparison is the their of joy!

I don't think you can always judge. I'm a single parent to an extremely active child. Our house is never boring he's quite a bubbly character and he's always on the go! We holiday just the 2 of us every year! Life is what you make it!.

PeatandDieselfan · 09/08/2024 15:20

I don't agree. All the people I know who have only 1 massively over-complicate things. Basically, if you don't have a 2nd one, you never get out of the PFB stage.

Bosabosa · 09/08/2024 15:20

Yes, I think my child gets lonely at times as is very social so lots of time goes into organising activities with other kids. I couldn't have had more though, can barely cope with one! (Have two lovely adult step kids who love their sibling, but they are not totally up for playing non stop 😉)

Swipe left for the next trending thread