Book about raising an only child?

[Crocodilian]

Hello!

I wondered if anyone has a recommendation for a book about stopping at one/raising an only child?

I have one DD who is currently still tiny but me and DH started talking about maybe only having one when I was having a very difficult pregnancy, and since then I've struggled a lot with PND/PNA and my DD is a dreadful sleeper which drove me to nearly breaking point.

Spent my whole life assuming I'd have two as I adore my sibling and our DD is unlikely to be close to her (so far non-existant) cousins due to geography, but since the moment I got pregnant with her then being one and done seems like the obvious choice for us.

Would like to read a book on the topic to help me make up my mind (DH already v happy to stick at one) and preferably make me feel confident in the choice.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

(I'd also be interested in hearing from anyone who was in the same boat!)

Thanks!

I don’t know about books but I’m in a very similar boat to you. I always assumed I’d have two & have a good relationship with my sibling. My partner has always been happy with the idea of one & never has been particularly close with his sibling. I had pnd too which dragged on & my daughter has never been a good sleeper (still isn’t & is nearly 3!). I know that stopping at one is probably the best decision for us as we are older too. I do have doubts sometimes & feel sad about depriving my daughter of the sibling relationship. At the same time I know it’s not wise to have another child just to provide a sibling for the existing one. So no real answers but you aren’t alone!

Currently in this thought process myself and my mental health is a really big consideration. For us it's also finances as we are comfortable at the moment but would be stretched with a second child. I enjoy my work and am career focussed but it's not a particularly well paid field. Overall I worry about the stress another would add onto the family. However I also have good relationship with my sibling and would love my child to have that. I'm in my late 30s so really need to hurry up and make a decision but keep putting it off. I've been doing some reading and thinking, links to a book I've read recently and also a good pod cast.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nl72

The Case for Only Child: Your Essential Guide