To think one child is easy

[smooooothie]

Assuming NT, not unusually challenging … past a certain point parenting just one child feels really easy in a way multiple children don’t?

This made me laugh

One child less than you're used to is dead easy. Like a little holiday.

😂😂 yes!

Spot on.

In what way? I find only children can be quite irritating as they often want constant adult interaction. Having two children means they will play with eachother. My friends only child would often want to stand with the adults or want her mum to go and play. Likewise there are a few where I work who aren't very good socialising with other children, seem to gravitate to adults, or want to dominate play and if it's not their choice they don't want to join in.
I would say this is harder than managing two children who have each other for company and as they get older can do things together e.g. go on funfair rides together

Then my sincere apologies as this was not the intention

It really depends enormously on the dc and the family, age gaps, personalities, whether both parents work or not, finances, etc, etc. I love having 3 and think my life is easier than some people I know with 1 - not in every way, but in enough ways to know that it isn’t as simple as fewer dc equals an easier life.

And no one can really answer. Because parents either have one child, or more.
Even if you had an only child in the noughties, who has since moved out, and you now have 2 or more young chlidren you had recently in your home, you're comparing different time periods, so no one can really say.
If I have to guess, it depends on the kids! Some play well together, making life easy. Most have friends, so it's the same as having an only child only 2 friend groups.

I have 4 children, my sister with one child use to tell me I had it easier as they can “play together” 🤦‍♀️

I found one baby/toddler super easy. I now have two (age one and three) and it's hard.

When I just had one (either the one OR the three year old) it becomes incredibly easy again.

So I personally agree. I imagine it's even easier if you have one child over the age of five!

I'm one of three and by comparison, my parents seemed constantly stressed.

To add to this all mine ever do is fight and argue, when im with one (which is rare) it’s so much easier I can’t actually believe how easy one child is.

Similar sentiments to the two piece above mine!

I don’t think anyone would ever dispute adding another child is an exponential change in all ways, particularly if your other child/children are still young and require full time parenting.

It’s neither good nor bad, just naive and unrealistic to think a whole other personality with needs and wants you have to equally prioritize wouldn’t completely change your family dynamics

My exact experience too!

Zero to one was a massive shock, one to two was easy. Once they could play together it got even easier.

Disagree. Having lived both lives, I found more much easier, having one means full attention, full play mode and pretty full attention all day long. Having 3 close together (later in life) they entertain each other all day long and are happier playing together than me and pretty much leave me alone. That's just my opinion and obvs just my children but you can't really generalise

I only have one child and it was tough for me. She was an easy kid but parenting has been mentally and emotionally challenging for me.

Well it depends on the child obviously. I could easily deal with 10 of my boys but my girls no way.

I have a 3yo and an 11mo. When I had just the one I felt it was really hard. Now I look back I think it was easier. But at the time I didn't have anything to compare it to, so it felt really hard. So whether it is easier or not is kind of irrelevant and your perception is more important.

I was learning everything for the first time, that was harder. Having two now is sometimes easier because they're already starting to play together, and my 3yo will happily entertain the baby while I tidy up. So it all depends. Obviously...

Sort of but my only is very sociable and doesn't like to play alone so I spend a lot of time actually having to entertain her on a one to one basis and hosting endless playdates, which I don't see parents of multiples doing so much. Not saying it's easier or harder just different set of challenges.

I bloody hope so. DP and I are aligned on one-and-done. More than one has always seemed bonkers to me tbh (though I keep my opinion to myself in real life of course!) Why make life needlessly hard for yourself when you can experience parenthood and still get to keep a semblance of your old life, in terms of finances and time?

frequently wonder this myself

My friend with five DC has a theory that one less than you usually have is what feels easy!

First eventually found not to be NT - so never had one easy one.

First one felt hard - then two felt harder then third felt like a lot to juggle - but we also had house moves redundancy job changes and money issues house needing work and unhelpful demanding extended family - often felt life was most demanding when we had least capacity to cope with it all.

More kids you have further the resouces have to stretch - time money etc

DH was an only who entertained himself or found a friend- because he had to really - Il weren't doing any entertaining of him . I don't think me and my siblings were as entertaining of each other as parents expected or other famies were - more fights and ignoring each other.

My kids got along and did play together so older they've got more they have entertained each other - know other families where kids together is always full on war.

It's sort of how long is a peice of string - depends on so much.

The difference between one child and zero child is 200%

Two dc is 225% versus no dc you already know what to do
Any person deals with their own challenge .
To parent A one child with cut finger is challenging that is their known
Parent B 2 dc one with severe disabilities then parent A looks easy but it does not feel easy for parent A

depends on the kid I’d imagine l. I have only one, so no idea what multiple kids are like. My mum came from a family of 10 and had 4 kids herself: she thinks more children are easier as they entertain each other