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

[redmalt]

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

Think people have this romantic notion of siblings. Not reality. I only hear from my sisters if its an errand for our mam and who is doing it.

@Mary46
exactly!

No-one can generalise, only child or one of 6, we all have our own opinions and experiences.

I did, every single day.

and still do now I am grown up and my parents are aging, and my kids don’t have cousins…..

I have a sibling (5 year age difference). I love her but have often wished I remained an only (I know that sounds awful, but am guessing on an anonymous forum, I can be honest). I just wanted to be quiet and alone, and remain this way many years on

Technically I'm an only child as I have no full siblings; my parents separated when I was a toddler. I did want siblings and I acquired them when each of my parents found new partners - I then had step-siblings and half-siblings soon came along. Having grown up with those siblings, I don't feel like an only child. I'm very glad I have my siblings and they enrich my life as an adult.

I've always wanted two children and I'm lucky to have two.

I know that not all siblings get on but I think you can enable/encourage it with good parenting. And even if they have little in common, you can encourage them to treat each other with kindness and respect, without forcing them to be friends.

Yes

I am an only and never had any desire for a sibling.

Clearly, everyone's experience is different and I'm so sorry for people who have abusive siblings, or who are estranged from their siblings.
And it's great that several pp have said they are only children ('onlies') and are happy with that.
Oddly enough, though, I was thinking about this the other day (don't know why) and I realise I know eight women who are only children. Aged from their 30s to their 70s. Of these, one has no children, but the other seven each have two or three children. It just seems interesting to me that none of the 'onlies' I know has gone on to have an 'only' herself. But obviously I know that's not a scientific sample!

I have 4 siblings and I wished I was an only. My siblings are awful. My son is an only (and looks like he’ll remain one) but that was because I’m infertile & lucky to have him even. I wouldn’t have minded having 2

Yes - very much so. But, I realise as an adult that this was because my parents were emotionally immature and as a consequence abusive than because I was an only child. I've seen so many confident, happy only children that know think 'only child' can be a good thing if you have positive, emotionally mature parents.
But thinking about it, surely this applies to kids with siblings as well?

Sorry for typos. Meant to say

I now** think

I didn't have siblings until much older and yes, was always desperate for them and envious of my friends with siblings

No, never have. Was always so relieved after playing at friends houses growing up that I got to go back to my nice, quiet house. DS is also an only.

I mean we are having yet another screaming match before school today because the kids needs are polar opposite. It’s never ending. Having a sibling isn’t the be all and end al and doesn’t guarantee a happy relationship.
don’t have a second child for your first child, have a second child only if it’s really what you want.