AIBU to worry my only child will feel lonely growing up?

All my friends with siblings were either badly let down during care for elderly parents and or NC. So it won't make much difference

I have only one (also 7). He gets all my love and attention and im sure will end up with lots of friends. Siblings can fall out and constantly be jealous/fighting attention for parents etc id say its a privilege to have parents all to yourself!

Not ‘natural’ at all. Just other people’s choices. You make the ones that suit you. There’s no reason whatsoever to have another child you don’t want, or to think your child will live some kind of miserably reclusive existence because he doesn’t have siblings. Model healthy friendships for him, and encourage his by making his friends welcome.

I’m one of 4, estranged from all of them.
oh how I wished I’d been an only child.
YABU.

Yes, YABU to worry your child will feel lonely.

Siblings aren't any kind of guarantee of social contact or support, as I'm sure you're aware. They could get on, could not. Could be a positive thing for your son, could be negative.

You're essentially working under the presumption that your son won't make best friends, won't find a partner, won't build his own family. In the families I know, even if people have siblings their closest relationships are their friends and their own partner/children, rather than siblings.

You also can't have a whole other human just to gamble that that human will meet a need you perceive in your son. It wouldn't be fair to anybody.

The whole notion that only children are automatically going to be lonely is so outdated.

I'm one of four and permanently estranged from all of them, and I have a wonderful life with the most incredible best friends, my own family, and a wide circle of acquaintances/mates. And when my mum died I was the only one to sort stuff, and it was fine because it was a real life lesson and learning curve, and I had the support of friends.

Yes but your partner doesnt want more children. It doesn't matter if Sharon has two, and Marjorie has two, your other half doesnt want more children. Keeping up with the Jones is not a way to live your life.

It sounds like you're sticking to one for some really good reasons (though frankly personal preference is a perfectly decent reason too). I have an only and as a preteen it does take some effort to ensure he gets enough time with peers during the holidays/weekends. He doesn't want to hang out with just his parents which is fair enough. So, we invite others over. As an introvert I sometimes find that challenging but it's the cost of keeping a good social life going for him. In a few years I'm sure he'll be heading out more and not needing that support so much.

The 'natural' way of doing things is to have 10. We have contraception, thank goodness.

I have a sibling I don't like and an only. There are issues with every set up. Meet challenges as they arrive.

Lots of people only have one, including me. I think it's fine to have one and I'm happy with our decision.

With kindness, You are being ridiculous.

You've no idea what your son's life holds, and whether another child would be their best buddy or would cause them absolute hell.

Your partner is dead set against more children; and if one in the couple doesnt want more children then you dont have anymore children (together). Children have to be wanted for who they are by both parents, not so that they can be a sibling and companion to existing children.

So that your existing child isnt lonely isnt a reason to consider having another child and pressing the issue when one parent is dead set against it.

Forgive yourself and stop feeling guilty. Your child will have the life you give them and later they will have the life they choose to have; with or without more siblings.