To think it is harder to have an only child than more?

[Rosehip345]

Just that really. Been having a discussion with friends, all with at least one child up to four.
From my experience I think it is harder to have one as they need the constant attention that siblings give each other. Plus the teaching them to share, occupy themselves etc?
Just intrigued to know others thoughts and how many you have?

I have one DD aged 2.5. Life is pretty straightforward and I don’t really feel stressed. She is lovely - lots of fun, rarely tantrums and is generally great company. However she really, really struggles to play alone. From an early age I have done EVERYTHING to try and encourage independent play, but she is constantly by my side wanting me to play / chat / interact. If we are out with her cousins / friends etc I don’t see her for dust - it’s not me she wants, just someone to play with!

I’m now a few weeks pregnant, and DD will (hopefully) be about 3.4 when the baby arrives. I’m hoping that she will love having someone to play with (in a couple of years), and that will offset some of the harder work!

My ds is 17 and I've not found having an only difficult. In fact it's easier because I only need to worry about him, and not how to be in two (or three) places at once. I've not had to drag younger siblings along to his activities, or vice versa, or worry about how to do school runs to two different schools at the same time. Only one set of childcare costs, too.

And for those that think you don't get squabbling and arguing siblings if you have an only - well my DC argued with her invisible friend, so we still had that stage That made me giggle!

A bit plus about only having one - they don't start a fight or argument with themselves.

Just seen the above post. Scrap mine :)

No not at all.
You can still teach an only child to be independent and to share and play well with others.

I have two. Def easier in a lot of ways as they’re close in age and when younger, entertained each other. Even now in later teens they do confide in each other and often know each others’ ‘secrets’ - at least before I do!!
I was an Only and spent a lot of time being bored.
Howerver, A lot depends on the type of family you are in and if you’ve got local cousins close in age, a lot of family friends etc.

Nope. With siblings there are arguments to deal with. Splitting your time between their needs is tough. And you still have to teach them to share, only it's harder because it's literally all the time, about everything - including teaching them to share their time with you! Ds is 6 years older. It was far easier just having one.

Growing up as an only child ,I had all my GM attention (Only GC as well!) and my DP, various Aunts /Uncles etc.My own 2 children have a large age gap, and were interested in different things.I would say on balance 1 child is probably easier as you can give them your full on attention ,2 need supervision and squabbling breaks out a lot ! Our Cousin has 2 DC quite close and it is hard work at times although great fun as well!

Regardless of why we have 1, 2, 3, 4 or more kids by choice or not by choice......we all have our challenges, logistical and emotional.

Its always parents of 4 who come up with this nonsense.
"Aaah my life is sooooo much easier with 4"😂😂😂

@TheYearOfTheDog What a strange remark.

Two children who are of similar enough ages to play together get less bored and gain a great deal from each other's company. In my experience, anyway.

I have 2. When my eldest is at school it's a fuck ton easier having just the youngest. No fighting or squabbling over not sharing, what they want on tv, I don't like that food etc

BUT they do have nice periods when they play lovely together for a while, always ends up in a bloody fight though

Not with my DS. He's fairly good at entertaining himself and isn't attached to his things like I see some siblings. Maybe because he doesn't have to fight for space, time or things.

I found 2 easier than 1.

it is laughable how hard i found having one, now i have two and look back on it. now i can look after 1 without even noticing and I'm tearing my hair out when i have them both by myself.

The biggest shock to me was having another newborn & thinking the newborn stage is sooo easy whereas first newborn seemed incredibly hard.

Apparently 4 is easier than 3 according to friends & family but who knows. @IScreamForIceCreams is right.

I had 1 for 6 years and it was so easy. I now have 3 and it’s flippin hard work. Constant arguments, more children to get ready, more dietary requirements/fussiness, more after school clubs, more homework, less time for myself.

Wouldn’t change having 3 but sometimes I day dream about life with 1 child

This
it is laughable how hard i found having one, now i have two and look back on it. now i can look after 1 without even noticing and I'm tearing my hair out when i have them both by myself.

Wtf was I doing three years ago to be so overwhelmed with one?

Quicklittlenamechange

No it isn’t, I’ve already said I have 4 and tbh it’s broken me. I can’t even imagine how much easier my life would be with only 1. I honestly don’t know how anyone can think 4 is easier than 1. (It isn’t)

No it isn't.

YABU, for me at least life with 2 DC is harder than when it was just 1DC

In terms of changes to my lifestyle I found going from 1-2 much harder than 0-1. Not helped by DC2 being a shocking sleeper

Five and another on the way 😳😳 and it is hard. On saying that the more experience you have as a parent makes thinks easier but it is the juggling of their little lives that is hard. Sch/nursery pick ups. Swimming / football and ballet lessons. Washing and feeding. If I am left with just one ( DH talking others out) it seems really easy.
Suppose it all depends on the child and the parents.

Could not agree more! 1 definitively harder.

I have 4, so willingly or not, had to be a lot more relax and not sweat over the little things. No guilt about a child being bored, needing to be entertained, they all have to fit within the family routine. I am generally organised so not guilt of being so with a bigger family and having a nice and tidy(ish) house.

It's so much easier on my own kids.

Its always parents of 4 who come up with this nonsense.
"Aaah my life is sooooo much easier with 4"

well yes.. I can at least speak for myself, I had only 1, then only 2 so I can compare how much harder or easier it is with 1 or 4. It IS easier. How would you know if you only have 1, you have nothing to compare it with.

I am not sure I would have coped so well - or at all!- if I had them all at the same time, quadruplets are a completely different game.