We have an only child who is 6 years old and I would really like to know how you feel as an only child or?

Question

do you have a sibling 7 years younger than yourself. Was the age gap a big problem. Did you really want a brother or sister but when they came along changed your mind. Were you lonely as an only child even if your parents made sure you had lots of friends to spend time with. Any help and details greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I never wanted a brother or sister, I felt special because my parents just had me to love. As an adult I somethimes find parties/gatherings difficult, feeling as though I don't know how to behave in groups of people.

Friends of mine have an only child, an outgoing, bubbly ten-year old. She has daily interaction with other children in her street, sees her grandparents often, and has friends over to stay. Her parents involve her in everything they do, and spend a lot of time with her.

I would say that an only child will learn many positives (happy in own company, used to talking to adults etc.) but you must make sure that they see a lot of their friends, and also spend time with children of different ages, so that they learn how to play as they would in a bigger family.

Answer 2

I was asked by my parents whether I would like to have a sibling when I was 6. And my answer was yes... However, I have never had a sibling....

I had a lot of friends during my childhood and never really felt like I would ever need a little sister or brother, however at the age of 18, I felt like it would be much better if I had one...

I realized that it is only your sibling who really counts as a relative when your mother and father are gone or too old to care for themselves. My parents are fine until now but even at the age of 24, I can see that I'll be left alone no matter how many friends I have. Because a sibling is always different than a friend. Both of my parents have siblings of their own and I always see how much they support each other financially and emotionally. Although they don't always get along well, it is always obvious that coming from the same womb makes a special bond between two persons.

Sure I would have lots of fights with my little sibling, and may be I would be forced to watch after him while parents are gone to holiday, or stay home and babysitting him instead of going out...

If you ask me... I wish I had a sibling. I have lots of friends but I really long for a sibling.

Answer 3

I was an only child and I HATED it and swore that I would never only have one child ( I have 3 now and counting!) Its lonely, its isolating. Every time my parents had an argument, I always felt as if I was the one to blame because I had no-one else to share the anxiety with. Also, something I have only realised lately is that siblings toughen you up. My kids are forever calling each other names and teasing each other. They often find the very weakest spot!! (normal sibling rivalry I guess!) but now they just roll with the punches and they don't seem to take each other personally. They seem to have a much more solid self-esteem or confidence that I have never had and I'm sure its because they part of a clan which is so so so much better than being on your own!

Answer 4

Put it this way I was and still am an only child so i made sure I had 2 children myself so they would not have to feel as I did. 4 years and 9 months between them I feel I waited too long. The older one is ok but I am going to look into fostering kids around the younger ones age. Siblings can be a pain but as a child I would have given anything to have one.

Answer 5

I am an only child and at 15 i envy my mates for having big families. However, my mates evny me for meing an only child so there is no easy answer.
When i was 6 i was happy being an only child as my mum was really fun and always playng with me. I liked being an only child as i got all mum's attention
Another thing to consider is that if you had a child now the little sibling would be on their own when the older child is going out with mates most of the time or has left home.
If you have another child your first child may feel left out because he/she is not getting the attention they are used to.

Answer 6

I'm 33 now and thought I was an only child all these yrs. My mom told me only 2 yrs ago, I had a brother who went to spirit before I was born.
I hated growing up alone during my teens. No one to talk to, and share things with. Yeah, sure I had friends and still friends now. Everytime my parents argued, I felt like 'piggy in the middle' all the time. It was damned lonely.
The worst thing about being an only child, is that when I was a lot younger, I got horribly spoilt with material goods. Tv, stereo, walkman, games consoles etc...but I never once had a bedtime story off my mother.
They are still the same now...Dad putting his hands in his pockets and mom being emotionally distant all the time, she never hugs me. That is the reason why I had 2 girls. They fight like cat and dog most of the time, but they get treated equally and loved equally and when I'm out of the way, I can sometimes hear them talking closely between themselves.

Good luck in making the right choices!

Answer 7

I am the eldest of 5 and had to fight my way through childhood due to their being so many of us....I am 30 the youngest is10 !

I have a 6 yr old too and she is an only child..........she is the most outgoing bubbliest kid I have ever known, her friends are always in my house and she is a very nice kid to be around.
(even if I do say so myself)

Under no circumstances would I say she was lonely. I have spoke to her about having another child and she says she would not like a brother or a sister she likes things the way they are.
Our house is always full of friends and family but I must say she does also like it when they all go home and then we get some peace and quiet!!

Make the decision for yourselves guys don't let stereotypes of 'only child, lonely child' get in the way........do whats best for you!

Answer 8

I canonly answer from the only child perspective. I was bored a lot. I always wanted a little brother or sister. I didn't have a lot of close friends, just friends at school. I was extremely shy. Things are different now. Even though I am a grown woman with a child of my own, I would love to have a little sibling :)

Answer 9

I have 2 little brothers. 1 is 7 years younger and the other 10 years. They age difference does suck 'cause once you hit your teen years and they are still real little, you have no one to talk to about stuff at school, or go out to movies with and confind in. yeah sure, its fun when your like 9 cause your helping take care of the baby. But it's tough after that. Especially when they get all of the attention. Trust me, they will with the age diff. I'd go about 2 years apart, maybe 3. But it's best not to be an only child i personally think.

You're kid needs to know they can't have everything they want when they want it. and only children tend to be spoiled depending on the parenting.

Answer 10

I am an only child but I didn't feel lonely at all. I actually feel like I matured a lot faster than other kids my age when I was growing up. Instead of spending time fighting or playing with siblings, I spent most of my time talking and playing with my parents and grandma. They never made me feel like I missed out on anything, and i grew to like the company of grownups. They paid so much attention to me that I was even kind of spoilt, not in an obnoxious way, but in a i-don't-want-anymore-siblings- because-i-like-this-attention kind of way.

Once primary school came along, I made friends and hung out with them just like everybody else, yet at the same time I still generally prefered the company of adults.

I also think as a result of me not having any siblings, I enjoy alone-time a lot more than those who have siblings. I get along fine with others, but I won't die of lonliness or boredom if i have to spend lots of time by myself.