Following the trend: why did you stick at one DC?

[Writerwannabe83]

Me and DH always planned on having one child.

We've had the usual reactions of being on the receiving end of completely shocked facial expressions, being called selfish for denying the child siblings, being told that our child be spoilt blah, blah, blah.

Don't these people realise we make the decision to have one child for a reason and they should be mindful of that?!

Honestly? Can't deal with lack of sleep. It was bad enough with dc1 when I could stay in my pyjamas all day, I know I would not cope with school run and 2dc.

I knew from a very young age that I only wanted one child. I had my son when I was 20, he is now 19, nearly 20 himself, and I STILL get people asking if we're going to have another child! We've been able to give him most things that he's wanted - I had to go without as a child due to lack of finances etc.
I'm happy I stuck to only having 1 child and get really fed up when people say we should have/could still have more.

Age
Finances
Space
Energy
Our family doesn't feel incomplete

Not an easy decision, but right for us.

[Thanks] for all the people who would like more DC and can't.

I'm one of those myself...
but I'm outraged on your behalf that people have given you grief about your decision. I've never come across that reaction from others but I'd go ballistic if I did.

Messed up the flower symbol sorry

I do feel sad though that I won't ever be POAS again with the optimistic hope of seeing that 2nd line. There was something so exciting and overwhelming about taking a test that I so desperately wanted to be a positive, wondering if my life was about to change forever. It saddens me that I'll never have that thrill again, I will miss that.

Fundamentally I just don't want another. But also:

DS a dreadful sleeper

First pregnancy ended at 18 weeks with termination for triploidy (and I had pre-eclampsia). I was willing to risk it again to give DH a child, but I wouldn't do it again now we have DS.

I had bad SPD with DS and might have to be in a wheelchair for the last trimester if I had another - I'm the breadwinner and we couldn't manage.

I'm rotten with babies (and not much better with toddlers). Only finally beginning to enjoy any of it now DS I'd nearly 4.