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We Have An 'Only Child'...But AT LEAST THE HOUSE IS ALWAYS TIDY...And Not Too NOISY! Ha!

CarolynLouiseL by CarolynLouiseL Speaking(April 2008) (rank 500+)

It's unique having an only child.  Here's some 'positves' and 'negatives'  (for want of better words)... with a bit of humour thrown in, too!

POSITIVES: 

* not too many arguments about what movie to see, or where to go on holidays, or where to have a

meal (if we're out)

* often gets things new, i.e. clothes, toys, school things, sports equipment

* don't have to share treats because it's not a case of, "Now give the same amount to your sister!"   (We have to be careful here, i.e. we don't want to overindulge our son, so my husband and I often think, "Now would we do this if we had three or four children?")

* can give our son uninterrupted one-to-one time, e.g. help with homework, working on a school assignment/project, or jigsaw, so there's a greater chance of them doing well at school (true for our son)

* parent-teacher evenings don't drag out because I don't have to wait around for other siblings' teachers, too! 

* It's only pocket money for one child, not multiples of $5 notes, so we save money!

* the house is always tidy!  And usually quiet, too!

* you may have a closer relationship with your child because of the extra time you're able to have with them, i.e. don't have to divide your time between siblings

NEGATIVES:

* there is more chance they'll be lonely, because they don't have siblings, however in our experience our son's loneliness is minimised because we give him lots of social opportunities, i.e. Sports, music, other social opportunities.

* my husband and I are, at times playmates for our son, if there aren't other kids around for him to play with, i.e I remember my husband actualy 'playing like a kid' with our son, and our son was having the time of his life!

* in school holidays we have to make an effort to not spend too much time at home, or days could go by with our son not having a lot of interaction with other children

* when our son began pre-school, and later primary school he had a few 'social' difficulties, i.e. he'd happily seek to quite happily play on his own (and have to be encouraged to interact with other children) or he'd become overwhelmed with there being so many other children around

* it took our son longer to learn skills such as sharing, and waiting, because he wasn't in those situations very frequently, compared to children who had siblings.

* we'd have loved our son to grow up with brothers and sisters, as my husband and I both came from families with siblings

So that's a start!  If I think of any more, I'll add it! 

 

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josierm
March 2009 | josierm
Re: We Have An 'Only Child'...But AT LEAST THE HOUSE IS ALWAYS TIDY...And Not Too NOISY! Ha!

We started with twins- so an only child is something I have never known.  thanks for the insight

when I had my 3rd and the other 2 went off to kindy/childcare, the house was so quiet, I didn't know what to do with myself with only one child at home.

I think I would get bored with only one.  My house is always messy and always noisy!!



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chrisharry
March 2009 | chrisharry
Re: We Have An 'Only Child'...But AT LEAST THE HOUSE IS ALWAYS TIDY...And Not Too NOISY! Ha!

I'm finding it really hard coming to terms with the fact my partner and i may only have one. I have two older children 21 & 19 two of the best. Being an older mum and with two older children i know the benefits of having two. I know i have a lot to be grateful for buuuut,that doesnt make me feel better now. We were hoping i would be 6months pregnant now but its just hasnt happened. Diet and everything is normal and quite good,i think its age related.March was going to be our cut off time but now my partner wants to keep trying till end off year.Mmmm im not so sure. Trying to find positives .Simply dont feel good about it at all  Anyone else got any positives i can try and focus on , actually feeling really down about it



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Ngairi
April 2008 | Ngairi
Re: We Have An 'Only Child'...But AT LEAST THE HOUSE IS ALWAYS TIDY...And Not Too NOISY! Ha!

Good to see the positives and negatives set out in an easy to read manner.



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momof8gr8kids
April 2008 | momof8gr8kids
Re: We Have An 'Only Child'...But AT LEAST THE HOUSE IS ALWAYS TIDY...And Not Too NOISY! Ha!

Don't forget about when something is broke or a mess is made, my kids all say "I didn't do it," who is one child going to blame? Casper? LOL.

My nephew is an only child at his mom's house and an older brother of two girls at his dad's house. I guess he gets the best of both worlds, however his mom's house, isn't tidy, and he gets away with way too much bad behavior, my brother (his step dad) has tried very hard to straighten him out, but his mom limist my brother's ability to correct Shawn. It is pretty sad if you ask me.



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Ravenheart
April 2008 | Ravenheart
Re: We Have An 'Only Child'...But AT LEAST THE HOUSE IS ALWAYS TIDY...And Not Too NOISY! Ha!

good point, when i found out i was pregnant with my third i felt extreamly guilty and bad for my other hildren, thinking now the money will have to streach further and my time will be streached even further. it has turned out ok but i do see your point.

xoxo



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emmie
April 2008 | emmie
Re: We Have An 'Only Child'...But AT LEAST THE HOUSE IS ALWAYS TIDY...And Not Too NOISY! Ha!

good article

Thanks for sharing

Emz



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