Our house is so peaceful now that the two oldest are in school. No fighting. I can run errands with little one. We meet up with friends.

My only DS was great about playing on his own when he was younger, but now since he’s gotten older (8), he wants us to play with him more often. He also loves having friends over.

I love my 1 on 1 time with my youngest while his older siblings are at school all day.

Embrace OP.

I've noticed that my younger child never learned to self entertain the way my older kids did. They played with him so much that he's lonely by himself. I'm not sure if he was born that way or if we made him that way by being the youngest. He's so lonely without them. But I've noticed he plays better with older kids than my oldest child did and never played with baby toys. He also got up and walked at 8 months because he didn't want to be left behind. He's like their little shadow.

Whenever my kid was bored I would say two choices: find something to do or I will find something for you (usually a chore.)

I'm an Only with an Only. I, very early on, made my DS play by himself so he could self entertain. DH, who has a brother, always felt bad for him playing by himself, so would ALWAYS play with him (and kinda accused me of being a lazy parent). Now when it's just me, DS will play by himself 90% of the time and I join in 10%. But if DH is home, DS is constantly bugging him to play. And DH is getting very resentful that he can't do anything or go anywhere without DS wanting to go with him. He even has to sneak off to use the bathroom. Once DS realizes it, he runs off to be with him.

I kept trying to tell him not to play with him all the time...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My only is used to self entertaining. Your little is used to company and sibling fun.

Eh, it varies. My extremely extroverted 5 year old only does not self entertain (in fact this weekend she told me "I can't play by myself mom! I need you!"). It's exhausting; if I'm not home, DH lets her watch lots of tv and play computer games as a way to get a break.

There would be different challenges with more than one kid, but for certain personality types an only is a lot of work! I think it will be easier when she's older though; multiple teenagers, for instance, seems like a much bigger challenge.

Yeah, my only is incredibly, exhaustingly extroverted. He is 13 now, but until a few years ago any moment to actively engaged with someone else DOING something was clearly torture. We did our best to teach him to play by himself and build tolerance for boredom and being solo, but it never really took. Now as a teen he's fine because he can text friends, or watch a movie or read a book...but until he was old enough to do those things there was no such thing as "playing alone."

Anonymous wrote:My only is used to self entertaining. Your little is used to company and sibling fun.

Eh, it varies. My extremely extroverted 5 year old only does not self entertain (in fact this weekend she told me "I can't play by myself mom! I need you!"). It's exhausting; if I'm not home, DH lets her watch lots of tv and play computer games as a way to get a break.

There would be different challenges with more than one kid, but for certain personality types an only is a lot of work! I think it will be easier when she's older though; multiple teenagers, for instance, seems like a much bigger challenge.

What is this about siblings playing together? Mine only fight. I’d rather have a human shadow than listen to screaming and squabbling all day.

Anonymous wrote:My only is used to self entertaining. Your little is used to company and sibling fun.

This is really the thing. You don't have an only child -- you have a child who is now alone, but has been used to having a playmate who is always there. Very different dynamic.

My kid is 3 and is an only child. She's used to playing on her own or with us. We do lean forward on playing with her, but sometimes we're busy making dinner or whatnot, so she's learned to entertain herself during those times. I think it would be very different if she were used to always having another kid in the house.

My only is used to self entertaining. Your little is used to company and sibling fun.

9:53 PP here. OK, so I am guessing the one at home is not old enough to help in the kitchen but sorting laundry is still viable. And solo play time is cool. Tell him you can play for 30 minutes and then you have to do chore X. Play for 30 minutes and then leave. 10-1 he stays engaged in whatever he is playing. Maybe look for a program at the library that you can take him to. Plan some time at the park but only after Mom has been able to do X, Y, and Z. So the more space he gives you, the faster you get to the park and the more time he has to play at the park.

But I do love a good play date. And I had no problems inviting others over and not worrying about reciprocation.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the mom of an only. I see you, too. Parenting is hard and exhausting, regardless of our family make up. Hang in here! And remember - a little iPad time never hurt anyone.

And...playdates. Lots of playdates.

I do love a good play date and I don't care if they are all day long, as long as the friend is well behaved.

And I have no problem giving my kid suggestions and then telling him it is ok for him to be bored but go entertain yourself. There are times that I find him just lying on the couch. That is cool, clearly he needs some down time and he is taking it.

If the child is underfoot let him know he can help with chores. I am sure that you have laundry to sort, wash or fold. What needs to be done in the kitchen?

I'm the mom of an only. I see you, too. Parenting is hard and exhausting, regardless of our family make up. Hang in here! And remember - a little iPad time never hurt anyone.

And...playdates. Lots of playdates.

I was always one of those people who thought parents of only children had it easy. Here I am with my three all day overwhelmed and thinking, must be nice!

I’m eating crow.

I’m now down to one since my middle child started K a couple weeks ago. And I’m losing my mind. His daily comrade is gone and he looks to me to entertain him constantly. Where his brother once was to keep him occupied (each other occupied, really) while I tended to a task, he’s now my shadow, always underfoot. It’s a lot. I’m exhausted. And it’s not even 10am!

Parents of only children, I see you.