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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you're an only child, did you ever wish you had a sibling?

164 replies

redmalt · 27/09/2023 20:14

I've always thought I was one and done but here I am having a second! I never envisioned my son having a sibling.

I've always wondered though, do those who are an only child ever wish they had a sibling? There is me and my older brother and I couldn't imagine being an only child.

Interested to hear opinions Smile

OP posts:
Raisinandcheese · 27/09/2023 20:14

No, never!
my dad was an only one and so is my daughter

PurpleChrayne · 27/09/2023 20:15

Yes! I would have loved a sibling. I was very lonely growing up.

Currently TTC number 3 to give my DCs the big family I didn't have!

Opinions will clearly vary though.

Blough · 27/09/2023 20:16

Nope, not in the slightest.

gerrithedom · 27/09/2023 20:16

No, I never wanted a sibling. I've always liked my own space.

The only time I've ever wished I had a sibling was when my parent was terminally ill and dying. That was lonely.

Embarrassednamechangeadoddle · 27/09/2023 20:18

I am not an only child. I have one sibling. However we had barely any relationship as children and now as adults barely see each other (once per year maybe). He isn’t a close person to me. I only share this to explain that even having a sibling doesn’t guarantee that they are a positive person in your life.

m I also have 2 children and their needs clash terribly. Lots of fighting. I can’t imagine them being close as adults either. I often wish I stopped at one child as my first really likes a calm quiet home.

storypushers · 27/09/2023 20:18

Yes. Every day of my life. Had 2 of my own within 18 months to try to give them both what I didn't have. They adore each other and I'm so glad I did it that way.

MereDintofPandiculation · 27/09/2023 20:20

No, never wanted a sibling. Have always been able to amuse myself. Think I got more say in family decisions than I would have got had I merely been one of “the children”

Saggypants · 27/09/2023 20:24

Yes, always. Like a pp it was a strong factor in the decision to have two kids of my own.

mumonthehill · 27/09/2023 20:24

Not really, to be honest i have never really thought about it. i am happy as I am and know so many people with complicated sibling relationships I am glad that i do not have to deal with that.

TokyoSushi · 27/09/2023 20:28

Yes! And even more so now, I see lots of people doing things with their sister etc (I know it isn't always like that)

Main reason I had 2!

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 27/09/2023 20:29

My ex husband was an idiot, but the one sensible thing he did was agree to have more than one child with me.

harrisaar · 27/09/2023 20:30

I have a sister and we don’t get on, in fact at times I would say we were both a source of stress in each others life.

offyoufuckcuntychops · 27/09/2023 20:30

MereDintofPandiculation · 27/09/2023 20:20

No, never wanted a sibling. Have always been able to amuse myself. Think I got more say in family decisions than I would have got had I merely been one of “the children”

This is a very good reason to have more than one children. Children who "have a say" are a PITA.

PeloMom · 27/09/2023 20:30

No never. Most of my friends with siblings didn’t really play with their siblings, they preferred to hang out with same age kids. As I was growing and observing grown up relationships of siblings I saw mostly conflict and nothing positive to be honest. I was glad I didn’t have to deal with that stuff and never wanted a sibling.

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 27/09/2023 20:30

BTW, my children fight endlessly, even now they are adults, but they are still better off for having one another.

975zyx · 27/09/2023 20:32

Yes, I was very lonely growing up. I made a deliberate decision to have more than one child, and it’s worked out well.

PeggyPiglet · 27/09/2023 20:34

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 27/09/2023 20:30

BTW, my children fight endlessly, even now they are adults, but they are still better off for having one another.

If you say so.

CherrySocks · 27/09/2023 20:34

Not until my mum was in and out of hospital and in a nursing home. That's the only time I ever wished I'd had a sibling.

Gamechanger2019 · 27/09/2023 20:35

No never felt like I need siblings, I’ve now had a little boy and I was adamant I was only having one but I do worry about him being on his own when I’m not here (hopefully long time away) but I just hope he’ll have his own family by then, plus no guarantee they’d get on anyway. Emotionally I just don’t think I could cope with another one but everyone is different.

WaitingfortheTardis · 27/09/2023 20:36

No.

Chanhedforthis · 27/09/2023 20:36

Yes I still do and im 33!

That's why i have 3DC, i was so bored and lonely growing up.

OnAir · 27/09/2023 20:36

I thought I was one and done, but here I am with an 11 year old and 29 weeks with my second. I'm glad I waited for my second as I was way to young for my first and I'm glad we had 11 years just us. She made me a mum, we very much grew up and learnt a lot together, she's my best friend and very excited to finally be a big sister.

JoanChitty · 27/09/2023 20:37

Never regretted not having siblings. But as a previous poster said when your last parent is dying , that is a lonely place to be as there is no one left to share memories with.

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 27/09/2023 20:38

PeggyPiglet · 27/09/2023 20:34

If you say so.

Show quote history

Well, they fight endlessly, but they are also the first person one another turns to when they need someone... Sibling relationships aren't necessarily straightforward, but you can generally rely on a sibling when all other avenues are blocked. My own relationship with my siblings is arm's length now - one lives abroad - but I do know that we could go to one another if we were really stuck, and we will share the sadness of our lovely parents dying when it happens in due course (only 70 now, but fingers crossed we will still outlive them).

Dunnoburt · 27/09/2023 20:39

Nope
What. I didn't have I most definitely didn't miss..... Still feel the same now