Did your only child want siblings?
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Anonymous
| Does your only child ever talk about siblings (whether they wanted them or not)? Mine is 11 and often expresses how she wished we’d had more kids. This makes me feel sad and guilty. Anyone else? |
Anonymous
| Yes, desperately. I also wanted another child but my spouse didn’t. I feel sad about not giving DC a sibling. |
Anonymous
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Yes. Mine wants an older sibling, which wasn't a helpful point of view.
Mine was also pretty happy having a dog, but then he died and we're all wishing for a few more people or animals in the house. I feel sad and guilty but there was nothing I could do to make or create more siblings for her so we stay focused on what we do have and are really deliberate about bringing other people into our family who she can interact with in a sibling kind of way. We have a family friend with a child who is 4 years younger and they get to play together, get frustrated together, and get bored with each other. She gets a glimpse of the sibling experience but compared to my childhood there is a lot less forced sharing and no hitting. |
Anonymous
| I was an only child for 8 years. I never wanted a sibling and cried when they told me. My involved parents then shifted their entire focus to my sibling and never really adjusted to parenting two children. My sibling and I are not close as adults. |
Anonymous
My brother was born when I was 8. I was so excited. I always wanted a sibling. I just wished he was a girl. lol |
Anonymous
| Wanted a sibling from about age 5-6. Then didn't want want one around age 7 and now several years later after spending time at friends' houses with siblings often talks about how nice it is to come home to peace and quiet. |
Anonymous
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When she was young, yes, but by kindergarten or so she was glad for her peaceful home. And hasn’t deviated from that position in years. It makes it so much easier on me emotionally, since we went through hell trying to have another.
I think some of it is personality, but some is also parenting. We probably overcompensate giving her social opportunities and we’re all extroverts that are natural social coordinator types. Plus we never let her see our sadness or grief, even when times were very dark, and always projected positivity about our family structure. |
Anonymous
| Nope. Kid is 10, and never once has he asked for one. |
Anonymous
Exactly this. Same here |
Anonymous
| My 10 year old DD has always said she did not want a sibling. Unwavering. |
Anonymous
| 8 year old asks for a sibling often. We aged out. |
Anonymous
Off topic but I feel this about not having family support. I agree it’s helpful for DC to keep my sadness to myself. If you don’t draw attention to it, generally DC doesn’t seem to notice. |
Anonymous
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Maybe girls are more likely to want a sibling?
My DS never wanted one. I am very grateful for that. |
Anonymous
| Teen. No, never asked or cared. |
Anonymous
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Our second child asked for a little sister when she was much younger (under 4). We told her daddy and I were happy with our family just as is is.
With 2 in college, confirming that 3 would have never worked for us |