I feel like this is not how you choose a spouse.

But in general, I think having siblings helps you get along better with other people.

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue with only children is that they never had to compromise with anyone. Marriage is one big compromise.

Compromise with anyone or compromise with a sibling? Those are two different things. I can't imagine anyone can go through life without having to compromise with anyone. That's an overly simplistic view.

Anonymous wrote:Umm neither. I absolutely hate my sister and we don't get along. I'm an amazing spouse.

Dh has a sister he likes, he's an amazing spouse.

but you tolerate her?

No. It says who was better based on how many siblings they had. This isn't something anyone can control.

I generally lead towards siblings, but with an emphasis on the birth order.

I think my DH and I relate to each other well a both being middle children.

My past relationships with men that were the oldest or the babies in their families did not go well.

Anonymous wrote:This is a mean spirited thread. All the only children I know are great kids who are likely to become well adjusted adults.

How so? As a PP stated, an only child is a great spouse too. It seems it is more about how the spouse was raised than the number of siblings.

I think the issue with only children is that they never had to compromise with anyone. Marriage is one big compromise.

Umm neither. I absolutely hate my sister and we don't get along. I'm an amazing spouse.

Dh has a sister he likes, he's an amazing spouse.

This is a mean spirited thread. All the only children I know are great kids who are likely to become well adjusted adults.

Anonymous wrote:Siblings.

My eyes have been opened recently to the (potential) relationship issues for someone who is an only.

Or just a different dynamic.

I think an only + only getting married could be great.

More important to just be aware. That's half the battle.

I agree with the last line above. I'm one of six married to an only child. It makes life interesting at times, especially now that we have kids. As far as parenting goes, DH is a great dad to DS and DD, although he and his parents (annoyingly so) get overly worried about normal sibling squabbles simply because they aren't familiar with it.
Now in the spouse department, I've noticed some small negatives that I do attribute to his upbringing as an only child with a mom who catered to him. He is a wonderful DH but I have to point out things that I would have thought would be more obvious. A few friends noticed this initially too. That being said, he is simply wonderful, especially compared with my ex, who had a sibling. No comparison really.

Sibling. But I have no idea how someone can judge this...I have nothing to compare him to

Siblings.

My eyes have been opened recently to the (potential) relationship issues for someone who is an only.

Or just a different dynamic.

I think an only + only getting married could be great.

More important to just be aware. That's half the battle.

Having siblings has made my husband a better father due to life experiences of his family dynamic.

Siblings

How does your spouse's childhood -- with or without siblings -- make them a better (or worse) spouse and parent?