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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Nope. Stick with one. Sure, you have make sure he gets socialization and he'll have to learn to be someone independent. But if you have two, you also have to worry about sibling rivalry. It's a wash.

With one, it's easier to travel and you can do more interesting things. You'll have more energy, both for your kid and for your relationship and career. Studies have shown that mothers peak in happiness with one kid and it declines with each subsequent child. That doesn't mean all moms regret having multiple kids (I'm sure many would have it no other way), but those childhood years are tough and with each additional child you are adding years of being the primary parent. It is much harder on women.

I love our family of three and wouldn't have it any other way. I fretted about having a second when my kid was that age, too, and got lots of pressure from friends and family. I also loved the baby stage and was a bit sad to realize I wouldn't do it again. But I'm so glad I resisted the pressure.

Plus, as we start thinking about both her college costs and our own retirement, I love that we have so many more options both for her and for us. Having a second might not have strained our finances that much when they were small, but wow can you give your kids more opportunities when they are older if you limit how many kids you have. When our kid has an interest or an opportunity, it's rare that we can't make an investment in it. And we can do that without having to have two high pressure or high paying jobs -- we've both always chosen work/life balance over ambition, so we've gotten to enjoy our lives and still have enough for college and retirement. If we'd had a second, we would have had to make different, less appealing choices, in order to give them both the same opportunities.

So no, I won't convince you to have another. If it's what you want, you'll do it anyway. But I am here to tell you that you can live an amazing, happy life with an only child and I would recommend it to anyone who is considering it.[/quote]

im not OP, but in a similar situation. we have 1. ill be 38 in November. I've had three mom friends lap me in baby making. its enough to make me question only having one. i cant imagine giving birth in COVID times. i can't imagine doing gestation through 2 years old again.

thank you for sharing your story![/quote]

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