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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Scorchio84 · 09/08/2024 15:19

newleafontheplantjohn · 09/08/2024 15:14

Yes.

On the flip side, it often looks very boring / lonely for the kid.

I have two kids and it can be a nightmare sometimes. But I am very glad they have each other.

well that makes me feel like shit...

justwonderingreally2 · 09/08/2024 15:18

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 09/08/2024 15:14

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

I do wonder if I had another if I’d think that! 😂

@Cheepcheepcheep totally, I have to admit I found the days looong when I had DS, then I had DD and suddenly the days when I ‘just’ had a baby felt so short and quick … strange isn’t it?

@SweetLining not sure mine ‘play’ so much as ‘bicker / steal / squabble’ 😅

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 09/08/2024 15:18

I have one, she's in her mid teens. Life is easy, she's very well behaved but there aren't many giggles or silliness in our house. Trips to the park and similar are well behind me now. She goes to the cinema with her friends etc.

InfoSecInTheCity · 09/08/2024 15:17

It's that whole 'grass is always greener' thing.

I have 1 and look at people who have 2 or more and see the kids playing either each other and having fun. That seems easier when I'm trying to manufacture play dates and activities to give her the opportunity to be with other people.

Pros and Cons of each situation.

SweetLining · 09/08/2024 15:15

There are pros and cons to all numbers. I have one, and yes it is calm and that calmness is one of the reasons I chose to have just one. However, there are cons - she doesn't automatically have someone to play with so I spend much more effort arranging social things for her, for example (she is still too young to arrange her own social life).

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 09/08/2024 15:14

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

newleafontheplantjohn · 09/08/2024 15:14

Yes.

On the flip side, it often looks very boring / lonely for the kid.

I have two kids and it can be a nightmare sometimes. But I am very glad they have each other.

Cheepcheepcheep · 09/08/2024 15:13

It felt stressful when I had one. It feels stressful now I have two. From memory, life felt stressful before kids, even though I can’t imagine why - what was I stressed about, getting a bottomless brunch booking sorted? 😂

Point is, it’s all relative. Your stress fits into the box you allow it into. When you have two there are things you stress less about, simply because there isn’t space in the day/brain to consider it. But if you had one you probably would let that stress in. Focus on giving less of yourself to stress, rather than eliminating it, because it isn’t going to happen!

Just be relieved you don’t have 3 and enjoy your holiday :)

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