In praise of only children - the great things about having just one!

[flobbleflobble]

Just wanted to start a positive thread about how fab it is to have an only child! In reaction to all the threads worrying about how sub-optimal some folk find it not to have more than one...

So here goes - to start off a list in praise of only children :

• you can take them to stuff appropriate to their age group without having to drag along a disinterested sibling

• peace and calm at home with no sibling rivalry and squabbles/ violence

• you can do something with another family without involving 2 cars/people carrier

• far easier to combine one child with work/social committments

• easier to provide financially for 1 child

(I've got two so slight hijack - and before anyone jumps down my throat I love 'em both to bits)

• Only have to go through the 'nappies', 'weaning' and 'tantrum' stage once.

• All the clothes they get are new (2nd in this house gets all hand-me-downs)

• You don't have to buy a huge house in order to still have a 'guest room'.

• only 1 birthday party to organise each year

You never have to colour code the socks to make sure each child gets the right pair...

i love the whole "calmness" of my house!

its such a quiet place, ds just plays peacefully- no rows about who had it first etc.

i love the bedtime routine- one bath, one story but alot of family time with just the three of us!

i love the idea of just deciding one day to go on a day trip without mobilising an army of stuff!

and most of all i just love giving my all to my ds!

Flobble- what a lovely idea for a thread!

You can have an unashamedly favourite child

(I should confess I have two children, but I'm an only child myself, so I can join in, right? Plus after today, I'd really like to sell one of mine on ebay - no favourites, either of 'em would do....)

georgina- i think the Kilshaws are still looking! (lol )

GeorginaA you are really making me laugh today

i'm thinking along the same lines as you kama, so its nice to see something positive.

Less washing & ironing, more time for mumsnet!

and me

No competitions over which child can throw their dinner the furthest rolls eyes ... in fact, mealtimes were DEFINITELY simpler with just one!

No elder sibling to copy by climbing onto anything in reach then hurling themselves off it.

Only your parents to fight with over computer time

Most important one for us is we can only afford a tiny house (teeny tiny) so having one means we dont have to cram more stuff in!

And come on ... only ONE grotty monosyllabic teenager bursting with hormones... that has to be the best reason

A generalisation with a lot of truth in it though IME - you can take an only child to an adult restaurant & they will behave nicely and enjoy it with you from quite a young age - my dd would happily go with us for leisurely lunches in France even at 2.

Flobble

You beat me to it re eating out.

No rows over who broke a favourite toy. If a toy is broken there can only be one possible culprit!

If they do get up in the middle of the night, and come into your bed, there is only one, less crowded.

(unless they blame the cat, of course!)

Hey, how about we turn this thread into the great things about having just one pet-allergic child

sometimes you feel a little annoyed at everyones asking "when you having the next one" but this thread is so positive!!

If your child has a real flair for something - swimming/ gymnastics / whatever - you can accommodate this without other siblings having to fall in around it.

And if they need extra help/support with anything likewise you can give it without worrying about the effect on siblings

yes- there is always one of us to give him the attention he needs!