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To feel sad that all my friends are having their second babies?

5 replies

MakkaPakka84 · 25/04/2021 15:08

I have a DD who has just turned two. In the past month or so, most of my mum friends have announced their second pregnancies.

After discussing the possibility of having a DC2, DH is not on board with the idea, but at the same time he is not closing the door altogether. He values having some downtime and is worried that a second child will eat into the few free moments we currentlyhave. He has also confessed having conflicted feelings towards fatherhood: he loves DD to bits and is amazing with her, but at the same time he feels terribly guilty for not having enjoyed the baby stage as much as he perceived other dads to do.

Honestly I don't know what to do, I have been so sad lately. As an only child myself, I always wanted a sibling for DD and I feel that history is repeating itself. I am 37 and feel that every month that passes takes away the possibility of another baby.

What makes it harder, in a way, is that DH is not 100% sure that he only wants one. He did the same with DD, just putting TTC off for months and months - and now he is saying that "definitely not now, but perhaps later on". I could deal better with a more adamant decision, if that had been his wish for years, I could grieve for a bit and then move on.

I have tried making a list of the positives of having a bigger age gap: less financial pressure for childcare; enjoying my maternity leave more by having a more independent DD; etc. But at the end of the day I am only kidding myself, as perhaps this won't happen at all: even if we did decide to TTC later on, my age would probably get in the way.

Sorry for the ramble, I just had to get it off my chest now that another of my friends announced her second pregnancy. I can't help feeling so, so sad and bitter, and I am finding it hard being around these people at the moment even if I am really happy for them. I know I shouldn't isolate myself, but at the same time I am finding this quite hard to process.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
SquigglePigs · 25/04/2021 15:11

I'm sorry you feel like that. I don't really have any advice I'm afraid. Just solidarity.

My DD is a little over two and I feel the same way. I barely got through the pregnancy with her so we can't have another one.

I was an only child though and apart from some small concerns about my parents aging and not having siblings to share any issues with I've never had a problem being an only child. Something I try to use to reassure myself that DD will be fine too.

P24VP · 25/04/2021 20:00

I don’t know if you will like this answer but if you feel even 1% that you should have a 2nd child you should. Not because there is anything wrong with having one or anything wrong with being an only child but I say this because there is no worse feeling than guilt over lost time. Unfortunate I speak from experience. Whatever you decide be sure to know in your heart that’s what want. Thats my only advice.

MakkaPakka84 · 26/04/2021 09:33

@P24VP I can see your point, but at the same time I feel it takes two to tango. I can't unilaterally force this decision, if DH's heart is not in it, we are going to have an awful time once the baby arrives and that is not fair on DD and the baby either.

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Thatsanicepear · 26/04/2021 11:05

I am in exactly the same position as you, even down to our age - 37. I would love another but my husband is not at all sure as he has also found fatherhood quite difficult at times although he is wonderful with our son. I know there are benefits to having only one and I remind myself of these most days but it's very hard to shake the feeling that one more would be so great.

mumma90 · 28/04/2021 14:20

Also having this same dilemma that I keep coming back to. My DD is now 2.5 years and I don't know if we should try for another...

Any only children who are now adults of course willing to share what it was like growing up being an only.

I have one sibling and DH is the middle child of 3...

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