When does a first child became an only child?

[BethanyGilbert]

No real reason. Just interested in other people’s opinions. DD is 2.5 and we are not planning anymore children. However I don’t consider her an only child as lots of her peers don’t have siblings yet but their parents are planning more children. What age does it become significant that you’ve got no siblings and you become an only child?

At birth. My eldest was an only until my next was born, then had to adjust to not being an only anymore.

I was under most pressure to breed again when mine was 2. When she passed 4/5 i felt people lose hope there'd be another. Shes almost 8 now and no one mentions it. Im 90% certain shes an only now.

Surely she’s always been an only child, if you’ve never planned to have another? DS was an only child, as such, from conception, as we were always clear that we wouldn’t be having another.

I think if you have one child and you won't have more, they're already an only?

But whilst I count my two year old DS as an only, I probably won't refer to him as that for a number of years, as I can't be bothered to deal with all the "you'll change your mind" comments!

She's an only child until she has siblings, IMO.

Plans or no plans, if the next kid isn't here yet, she's an only child – nobody can know what's around the corner!

Interested in your question about it becoming significant, though – do you mean in terms of what you describe her as, or in terms of her development, or something else?

You are an only child until you have a sibling , so from birth .

Interesting Q... When I only had DS1 he was technically an only child but I didn't really think of him like that as I knew we'd have more (barring unforeseen circumstances).

With other people's children I never ask if they're having more but tend to assume they're not once the youngest is 4+ and the mum isn't pregnant again. But sometimes I have been surprised!