Only children during quarantine- how is it going?

[Anonymous]

I have an only (not by choice--infertility) and in general I'd say he's content being an only. However the only time he's ever mentioned wanting to have a sibling is now that we're stuck at home. He also told me he is very lonely and wants to go back to school. I feel really bad that I'm his only friend for however long this social distancing is going to last.

[Anonymous]

Badly. For me. She’s very extroverted, I’m the opposite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I have an only and I’m in a couple only child Facebook groups and everyone is miserable.

How sad for you and those families? Maybe it is them and has nothing to do with an only. We're doing great.

+1. I wonder if the types of people that join only child support groups are the ones that are not happy having an only (e.g., maybe they wanted more but had fertility issues).

P.S. I know a mom at my kid's school that talks about having an only child as if it's a disability. She's the only one--I know lots of other families with families and it seems to be not that big of a deal for most of us. Many are traveling abroad and doing other kinda cool things that would be difficult to do at our kids' ages with more than one.

As for me, it's stressful enough trying to work and homeschool with one (although my kid seems to be enjoying herself)--I take off my hat to parents who are trying to manage with two or more right now!

That's too bad she cannot appreciate what she has vs. what she doesn't have. I would have liked two but something bad happened and life didn't work out the way it should. There are lots of advantages to one as you can give them all your time and resources.

[Anonymous]

My 7 yo extroverted only is very very much missing her friends and going out-- but also handling it reasonably well. She enjoys our company. It's a lot for US to juggle, though.

[Anonymous]

In the last day or two I'm starting to see signs that my extroverted only is having a tough time. Rather than grabbing on to offers to FT with friends she tells me she just wants to be alone. She loves school but shrugged when the governor made the announcement earlier today that they were closed.

DH and are FT WFH right now, and we're all doing the best we can but no doubt this is impacting her and she's not yet ready to open up about it. Like others, she saw a group of friends out playing over the weekend and while she said "that's really stupid", she also admitted that she was sad that she couldn't join them.

We have always loved being a family of 3, but I'm worried for her.

[Anonymous]

My 3 year old is doing great. She has me to climb all over all day long. My work productivity on the other hand...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 10 year old is an introverted homebody and happy as a clam. He spends several hours per day gaming with his school friends, shrieking and laughing. Then he does his own thing. In the evenings, we snuggle up and watch television together. If it weren't for the fear and worry, we'd be having the most laid-back vacation ever.

Not a permanent plan, but we're getting along fine! Good luck with your trio.

My 8 year old is similar and is so happy. He doesn't play video games yet but he is loving all this time to draw, read, listen to podcasts, practice his baseball swing, cook...
I'm a school employee who is home in the summer so this really isn't much different from break, outside of the lack of pools and having friends over

[Anonymous]

Fortnite, roblox (both with buddies), lego, bike riding (not today), DS 11 is doing fine.

[Anonymous]

We're doing great! It's been surprisingly relaxing! Loving the extra snuggles!

Thanking my lucky stars I don't have two right now...or god forbid three!!!

[Anonymous]

My 6 year old extrovert is OK as long as she is getting attention from me, DH, or a babysitter. If left to entertain herself she gets cranky and engages in attention seeking misbehavior. If our babysitter gets sick or quits, we'll probably have a daily meltdown from either DD, DH, or me.

[Anonymous]

It's a mix. It's nice because we don't have to resort to tv or other screen time to hypnotize fighting siblings into peace, which was my own parents' main strategy for dealing with bickering. I only have to help with schooling for one and decipher only one teacher's remote learning plan. I'm hearing from parents of multiples that each teacher is using different platforms and software and setting up multiple kids in the house feels like a full time job.

Self reliant only is really good at coming up with creative arts and crafts or puppet shows or massive Lego plus blocks plus magnatile creations, plus has baked some amazing muffins and cooked several meals for the family from scratch. Also puzzles and drawing and instrument practice. Lots of outdoor play, too, making fairy houses and throwing a ball against a wall.

But the lack of kid playmates is starting to wear. I can see the loneliness start to seep in. I wish we had a dog at least. FaceTime with some friends helps a little, but I'm worried about isolation as this continues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 6 year old extrovert is OK as long as she is getting attention from me, DH, or a babysitter. If left to entertain herself she gets cranky and engages in attention seeking misbehavior. If our babysitter gets sick or quits, we'll probably have a daily meltdown from either DD, DH, or me.

I have 3 and they all still want my attention - except it inevitably end up with the 3 of them fighting. meltdowns are a daily occurence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I have an only and I’m in a couple only child Facebook groups and everyone is miserable.

How sad for you and those families? Maybe it is them and has nothing to do with an only. We're doing great.

+1. I wonder if the types of people that join only child support groups are the ones that are not happy having an only (e.g., maybe they wanted more but had fertility issues).

P.S. I know a mom at my kid's school that talks about having an only child as if it's a disability. She's the only one--I know lots of other families with families and it seems to be not that big of a deal for most of us. Many are traveling abroad and doing other kinda cool things that would be difficult to do at our kids' ages with more than one.

As for me, it's stressful enough trying to work and homeschool with one (although my kid seems to be enjoying herself)--I take off my hat to parents who are trying to manage with two or more right now!

Where? I would love to get away with time off and low fare but where is it even safe to go?

[Anonymous]

Yesterday my 5 year old introduced me to her imaginary friend: a pillow with a shirt over it and a pair of pants. At first I was sad, but then I realized she was amused. I had to laugh at the creativity. Boredom isn’t always such a bad thing. Kids will discover something new in their own way at some point.

[Anonymous]

My 7 year old chats with his friends via messenger. He hasn't complained yet.