To ask about your relationship with your siblings?

[anametouse]

Honestly because I'm trying to decide if i should have another baby (fertility problems so can't leave it to fate, I have the money for another round of IVF which is how DS got here)

People keep saying he should have a sibling, but I don't know anyone who is close to their siblings. I'm an only child and was always happy as one.

How is your relationship with your siblings, were they a vital part of your childhood, do they make you happy?

I think sibling relationships can be so special. You have so many 'in jokes' and no one will understand your upbringing like they will.

Not always true, like I said I didn't get on with my brother but I have a sister like friend, we are in our 40's and have been friends since we were 2. We practically lived in each others houses and I'm currently supporting her through the loss of her dad who was like a second dad to me, she is an only but she's not alone.

I have a brother and a sister (all 2 yrs apart) and are close and get on really well.

I have a young brother and older sister as kids any day we weren't scrapping in a heap was a day wasted! We aren't that close but we are friends

I don't see much of my brother - Christmas and our parents birthdays really. He made an effort for my recent big birthday but that's unusual. He's flakey and cancels often.
We have nothing in common. My 3.5yr old has no real idea who he is

I'm an only and absolutely love it. DD is an only and is the happiest kindest friendliest soul.

DH has a brother who he hates (feeling is mutual) they haven't spoken for 20 years.

Best friend is one of 6. She is distant from them all, her mum is dying, and not one of them has stepped up to help. She told me she might as well be an only child.

A sibling is no guarantee and having one can be wonderful.

I have an older brother. He was a violent, selfish little shit when we were growing up and now he's a drunken, feckless, selfish adult. We're not NC but we are very different people and have nothing much to say to each other.

I hated my sister up until I moved out at 18. We are now best friends and she is living with us while she saves for a deposit. And my dcs luv her.

All the hatred was on my side I was a very challenging teenager.

I have three DC and although the two eldest fight sometimes they are incredibly close and adore one another. The arrival of the youngest has strengthened all there bond.

My happiest memories in childhood are of my sisters ,yes we fought were absolute pests to each other sometimes but over all it was fun.I have a lot happy memories of growing up with them.

I miss my sister since she passed unfortunately my other sister has now buried her self in work to cope with the lost of parents and sibling.So i am alone now but as adults before all the tragedy we were very happy together. I looked forward to seeing them and we always had fun together

I so wish i could afford to have another child because having siblings is something really special

10 years difference between me and my brother and we are pretty close, I had a second child as I myself hated being an only, by the time my mum has my brother the age gap was too far apart, my 2 dd are 3 years apart and we have huge rivalry issues, I hope they will be close but don't base having a second on providing a sibling, I actually wanted another, but 1 is underrated

I come from a large family.

We are pretty close as a family, but I have one sister I am incredibly close to.

I have 2 children. The youngest was just 9 months old when my Father died and I do admit that I was comforted in knowing that my older child would not have to face the death of a parent alone (the emotional and practical side). Of course, that's not a good enough reason to bring a child into the world and I'm sure my mind was swayed by my youngest child being so young still, but I'm just telling you what I thought.

I have a younger brother (3.5 yr gap) he's one of my best friends and we live practically next door. His wife is also fantastic and we go out as couples quite regularly. I think we are very lucky in our relationship. Saying that I know quite a lot of people that detest their siblings, so wouldn't factor their future relationship into my reasoning

I don't really care for my dsis. But that's down to her and some bad choices she's made.

As children we played together tons, we were quite close. We drifted apart, but as teenagers we were so very close. It's a shame we've grown into such different people, but also not iyswim.

Basically I loved having a sister and growing up with her, but if I hadn't of had her it wouldn't have negatively impacted me.

if you want one child, then stop at one. Don't have another out of guilt. But if you would like another child go for it. Like so many things, there is no wrong or right answer.

I have 4 brothers and a sister, I adore them (though don't tell them that 😉) we are very close, we bicker and fight but at the end of the day we love each other and they always have my back. We all live reasonably close and see each other every week.
Plus I now have a million squidgy nieces and nephews to cuddle, makes the torment growing up with them all worth it 😀

I'm the oldest of 4, I have 1 DBro (2 years difference) and then 2 DSis (9 years difference, twins). DBro and I get on ok, civil with each other but nothing in common. DSis's and I, again get on ok, it was difficult when we were younger due to the age gap, and now I know that because of the bond that twins I have no chance of being as close to them as they are to each other, and I'm ok with that.

My DS is, and will remain an only child. I only ever wanted 1 child.

I have 5 siblings, I love them all and think they are amazing people. I don't see them enough as we are spread around the country but I feel incredibly fortunate to have them. Dh is an only, he is mainly happy with that, I think he is closer to his parents as a result.
We have 3 quite close in age. They get on amazingly well. The older two are autistic and high functioning, their cheeky NT little sister brings a sense of fun and anarchy which is very good for the older ones. I am very happy they have each other. But a sibling group can also be toxic, or simply drift apart when adults, there are no guarantees, so you should do what feels right for your family and well being.

I was close with my siblings until about 5 years after my parents died. We had little in common other than sharing a womb and it was evident our mum and dad were the glue that held us together

I have 4 siblings. Hate them all and they hate me and each other. We never got on as children and prefer to not see each other as adults. I have 5 children - between mine and hubbys. They would prefer not to be in the same room together. Hubby is an only child. He had a great childhood and is still the apple of his mothers eye. Wish I was an only tbh

My sister and I are nearly 5 years apart. We didn't get on that well until she was about 14 (I'm the eldest) but have always got on brilliantly since. We were very different as children but as adults we are very like-minded in a lot of ways and get on perfectly even though we live at opposite ends of the country. I wouldn't say we are super close in the way some sisters are, as neither of us are very emotional or 'share everything' types but I have certainly never had a better friend or anyone who knows me better. She's clever and funny and we laugh a lot when we are together. I talk to her on the phone every couple of weeks or so. Oh and her children and mine get on very well, as do our husbands after a slightly rocky start. I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend time with and I wish they lived nearby.

I have 2 sisters, im in middle. They were my best friends growing up, obviosly we had odd fight but thats normal and never lasted long. I see and talk to both sister regularly and our children are close. My 2 children are close to. My daughter often says her brother is her favourate person and my son crys when we leave daughter at school. My husband although loves brother, doesnt talk to him often and I barely know my aunts and uncles. Dont base on what others say though, it should be what works for your family.

Thanks so much everyone. I know I need to make the decision based on what I want (and it's very very early days, DS is only 6 weeks but because of fertility and age I would have to get on with asap if I wanted to ttc again)

I adore DS and I feel like he's enough for us but I didn't want to deprive him of something if everyone was saying siblings are essential. I currently really really don't want another

I can't stand my sister. She's a nasty person who only looks out for herself. If it weren't for my nephew, I would have nothing to do with her.
But do what you feel is right. I know a fair few people who are very close to their siblings.

Love my siblings. We fought like cat and dog sometimes as kids (actually we still do on occasion) but I wouldn't be without them. We laugh, cry and bitch about our parents together :)

My babies are IVF too and I knew I didn't want 1 child if I had a choice. That said you should do what feels right for you. Good luck!!

My brother is four years older than me. He's ace, we always used to play together and we've always been close.

My mom's no contact with her brother, however, as he's a nasty piece of work, and apparently always has been, ever since they were kids.

My husband is closer to his sibling now as adults, but resented them and wasn't close growing up.

Like most siblings, we fought as young children, but, since we don't have to live together as adults, we get on just fine. Not in and out of each others pockets - we all have our own lives, but their support was invaluable when first my Mum and then my Dad died. There is and always will be an unspoken bond, which is different from friends, however close you are to your friends. I appreciate this is possibly only true for those who had a wonderful loving family home in their childhood.