AIBU to think of having another DC so my 'only' won't be lonely?

[firstimer30s]

I have a highly social 3yr old who actively seeks out children to play with everywhere we go. I worry she will be lonely if I don't have another to give her a playmate/ companion for life in the form of a sibling.

I never set out to have just one but I have found caring for my DC overwhelming. I have a satisfying, demanding job and a supportive DH but the Lion's share of childcare and worrying about household tasks falls to me.
I adore my DC beyond words but the thought of having the Lion's share of 2 to look after fills me with dread.
BUT as many point out, the baby years go by so fast and then DCs are (apparently) at school and there's a lot less to do and they're self sufficient etc... have no idea if this is true - just what people say.

So... if you have one or more or you were an only.... what do you think ?

I'm an 'only'. No kids of my own (grown up scs). The positives of being an only one: more independent and mature in some ways when growing up. So long as your child has friends and a social group, there is no need to be lonely. As an adult, no sibling psychodramas for me and I look on in sympathy at some of the issues my sibling-endowed friends have to deal with. The negatives: well, only one really....just me (and my DH) to care about and visit my elderly mum. That said, no guarantee siblings would have been much help that way! My DH doesn't see or hear from his surviving brother.

Netflix I'm so sorry
Skysmiler, why did your second kill you?

I'm an only and I found it great when I was a child but would have loved to have a sibling now. We have 2 DDs now and I do not regret my decision.

Sorry, been too exhausted to reply lol. Just as in energy etc, I was quite slim amd glam with my first and for a while after I had second but alas it went downhill as he reached toddlerhood... but I will say I was just shy of 40 when I had him and I am lone parent with v little support.... good luck in your decision x

I'm very grateful I have two, they're great play mates, entertain and look out for each other. It's not very PC to say but I think my eldest would have been an lonely only child with too much adult focus just on her.

I think a lot depends on your family set up. .more children means more juggling as well as the fact that teens and students are a lot more expensive than babies

There's really no need for an only child to be lonely. I have an 8 yr old only and purposely chose to live in area where there are lots of familys and is safe for children to play out. He has loads of friends and most of his classmates live in our street (Scotland so catchment schools and it's a small catchment). He also has a 'best friend' who spends a lot of time at ours (he has loads of siblings and loves coming to mine for the peace), often stays for sleepovers and comes on days out with us. It's like having a part time brother for ds that i can send home at the end of the day. Win win. Fwiw I hated my brother growing up and we barely ever see each other, i would much rather have been an only.

I am an only. I found it very difficult but that's because my parents were very difficult (my dad was an alcoholic, and they also isolated me quite a lot from other children, for example, by refusing to have a TV in the house, and by dragging me round National Trust properties rather than letting me do 'kiddy' things). I always thought it might be better with a sibling.

But i didn't hate being an only child per se - I hated being an only child with my parents. So I very much think that it's in your hands whether your only is a happy only child or not.

Also, good, close sibling relationships aren't a guarantee. You hear stories of some awful sibling relationships so I feel lucky to have escaped that.