Feeling like an alien for choosing one child

It’s in our genes to reproduce. I think that’s now evolving into something else but others who say above they don’t understand the need for more than 1 either don’t understand science or are being a little too “I don’t care” and perhaps have that little niggling thought completely from nature.

I would hate to live like they did when there were 8/9 children and that was those who survived.

Men and women are having children later and less children. So you’re definitely in a very small circle to feel alien.

I don’t feel this way at all with one. I’ve nannied for multiple children for 20 years I know that is not for me. I feel pretty smug with my one sometimes when out with others with more! So much easier although my son can be as hard work as many children 🙈

I have one I don’t care, I feel a twinge for DC sometimes, think they would have liked a sibling but tbh I don’t think too much about how many kids other people have or worry about how many I have. I do know my life's a bit easier with one and we are a happy family (as I’m sure bigger families are too). You are overthinking it OP.

If this isn’t a wind up post .
How idiotic you sound .

Agree - am currently on holiday with my dd and my friend with her dd, having a lovely time and as you said, am embracing it!

Bluntly, I find it much stranger that so many people go on to have more than one.

Whilst having one child is obviously perfectly normal, you sound ridiculous in the rest of your statement 🙄.

My DD is an only child. We have friends with only children too. She is lucky to have lots of family friends and cousins of a similar age. I can honestly say I have never felt any judgement for only having one child. Sometimes people may make comment about ‘only having one child’ but it’s not in malice.

I certainly wish I'd never had a sibling myself.

That figure is a bit misleading though (I've seen it before) - it's a snapshot in time, and every eldest child was once an only child. The number of only children families by the time their eldest child is 8, like OP's, is a lot lower. It's still sizeable though. Around 18% of women born in the 1970s, who I think we can assume are at their final family size, have one child.

Not one child but I’m a widow. I was the only one in my DD school year without a DH (no one was even divorced)! I’d go to the annual pub gathering on my own. I’d go to parent/teacher meetings on my own. Just going out and about it was me and my two little kids.
Several families I know have one child. It’s a different dynamic for sure, but stats show over 40% of UK families have one dependent child. In the US it’s 20%.

It’s more common than ever before in human history to only have one child. People having children later in life, lifestyle choices, careers and cost of living. We only have one because that is what worked for us. Everyone else can, quite frankly, sod off.

What did I find out today - that 41% ( or was it 44?) of children are single children

that the most common family size

I've only got one, she's almost 25, I've never wanted more.

Stop inventing issues for yourself tbh… there are lots of only children in the world.

We have 5 children and I always felt a bit like a marauding rabble when we went anywhere 😂 families come in all shapes and sizes, there are plenty of people with one child. If you're happy with one, why worry about what other families look like?

Perfectly normal to have one child. I know quite a few people who have and only wanted one for whatever reason. Much better that and give them your all than to stretch beyond your means - whether your limits are mental health, energy, money, time, other, or a combination or reasons.
I always felt I wanted two and feel complete now I have two children, wouldn’t want any more than that and feel I have reached my capacity on energy levels (and money) with my two.

I suggest this is in your head. But its your choice for your reasons so be happy with it. There are advantages and disavantages to all situations and being an only child has many positives. Dont dwell on it just enjoy what you have.

We have one child - a son who is now 12 and just finished Y7.
I can honestly say we have no regret at all.

We have a nice, calm, happy life. DS is very well adjusted and has plenty of friends who he sees regularly.

Particularly since he went to secondary school, I am so pleased we only have one. He has got very into his sports which is great but has been a lot of ferrying him around! He is able academically, but even so, having capacity to support with homework etc has been great.

Honestly, one is great!

Theres nothing wrong with having 1 child. Its your choice and your family.

I have 6 children and people are so shocked, they responses I get are beyond ridiculous.

Don't worry about other people.

Ignore. Replied to the wrong post.

We live in Germany and all (literally all) of our kids classmates are only children. All.
My DH is an only child.
It’s no longer unusual , except for your friendgroup!
Obviously putting aside the economic issues of this societal change, my one bugbear is the fact that there is a lot of pressure on adult only children to be present for their parents. It’s a cultural nightmare. And not just my family. I know that we will never have a Christmas for ourselves for instance until they are dead. We will never celebrate a birthday the way we want to until they are dead. Don’t become those parents!

I have 1 child and struggled massively with the decision to stay at 1. Everyone else seems to have 2 and I was upset for a long time that he won't have a sibling. However now I see how happy he is and I genuinely don't think he could be any happier. If he had a sibling it would just be another type of happiness so I am now at peace with it. I love babies but could not put myself though the pregnancy and postpartum again as I really struggled and I know I would struggle to be a mum to 2 rather than 1. Ask yourself if everyone around you had 1 child would you still want another. If the answer is no then you are making your mind up based on others decisions and not your own.choose your own path. You could move house tomorrow be surrounded by loads of 1 child families and wonder why you had ,2 !

One and done with a similar age child. This is only an issue of you make it one.

Make the most of the child you have- whatever reasons you have for not having another are just as valid as the reasons your friends have for having multiple.

I’ve only got one, no plans to have anymore,
100% happy with our choice.
I love my DS with all my heart, but I know I wouldn’t cope with another.