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 know mumsnet threads tend to take on a life of their own and go off on various tangents but I do so hope this one stays on track and sticks to "In praise of only children - the great things about having just one!".

Hear hear Sis

rofl fish - would hate to think your reasons were irrational

tks youa re all getting like titania

sorry sis

bites tongue

Anywaaaaaay - moving on...

No problem snafu. My comments weren't directed at any one person - just a plea from a parent of any only child to have the pleasure of reading about our circumstances in a positive light!

I think fishfinger should be banned

Sorry Teeavee -Just reread this and realise I was mistakenly talking about your Dh being an only instead of Sandyballs' dh! See! I can't cope with all the chaos around me

There's always plenty of room for everyone in our bed....
Favourite meals are easier to cater for...
Only one social life to organise, and be used as a taxi firm for...
It's easier getting babysitters for just one...
Childcare isn't too prohibitive should you wish to return to work, and higher education fees aren't going to bankrupt us...

(ds only 17 months, so i'm projecting a bit here, but it's highly likely he'll be an only so I'm enjoying looking at the positives, thank you )

an exampel of coddy being troll like this a positive thread

fishfinger you're really lucky to have had the choice to have more than 1. I am unable to and it makes such a change to see a positive vibe on this. Why trash it?

You can fit your whole family on one row in an aeroplane

Kanga, so sorry to hear that

I do truly believe that there are pros and cons to WHATEVER family arrangement you have - families aren't just 2 adults 2 children any more, there's a huge variety and I wish we (as a society) embraced variety a bit more, to be honest.

As long as you are aware of the pros and cons of your particular situation and compensate accordingly then you are doing a fantastic job.

And flobble did a great job with this thread - it's so easy to focus on the negative on ANYTHING we do/have foisted upon us - it can be a real challenge to highlight all the positives. It's a much richer and rewarding life though when we can.

Being able to go to the theatre to see shows like Les Miserables

because you don't have a big age range

Sorry about my last post

fishfinger you're really lucky to have had the choice to have more than 1. I am unable to and it makes such a change to see a positive vibe on this. Why trash it?

's aren't allowed, Kanga, nor are apologies

Have to say that a lot of the "pros" here aren't "cons" of having more than one though

There are advantages and disadvantages of both IMO - different families suit different people.

Thanks Georgina it took me so long to type thread had moved on

Anyway I felt I should sort of explain that DS is an only child but not through choice

Agree about front seat of car DS was so pleased when he was tall enough to sit in the front seat

he had to get to 140cm but we said he had to get to 142cm just to be on safe side and he was soooo excited when he got there