only child

[katharineyr12]

hello everyone,

I am a year 12 student doing a project on only children, you may have seen my other threads including a questionnaire. As it might be a little long and some cannot be bothered to answer the questions, i would like ask a few questions, you do not have to answer all of them, only those you wish to.

1. Age you had your child?

2. Why did you decide to only have one child?

3. Do you find that the enigma surrounding only children still exists- such as only children must be spoilt and lonely kids?

4. Do you think that parents spend way too much money on newborns these days?

Thank you for your time, it is greatly appreciated..

katharine yr 12:wave:

[suzannec]

. Age you had your child? 36

2. Why did you decide to only have one child? age, husband only wanted 1 and i wasnt sure i could handle another child

3. Do you find that the enigma surrounding only children still exists- such as only children must be spoilt and lonely kids? definetly. i still cope grief from people saying that we are selfish for having only 1, that she will be lonely, that if something happened to us she would have no family.

4. Do you think that parents spend way too much money on newborns these days? not necessarily. it depends on the parents.

[Ana Gram]

1. Age you had your child? 27

2. Why did you decide to only have one child? I knew as soon as I got pregnant that I did not want to do it again. I have no interest in having any more children.

3. Do you find that the enigma surrounding only children still exists- such as only children must be spoilt and lonely kids? I guess. Lots of people assume that the child is missing out.

4. Do you think that parents spend way too much money on newborns these days? It doesn't really concern me what other parent spend on their newborns.

[ThomasMum]

1. Age you had your child? 36

2. Why did you decide to only have one child?
My husband and I had decided long ago that if our first child is a girl then we'll have two, if its a boy then nomore.
We had a boy :) plus I dont think I can cope with 2 or more kids also.

3. Do you find that the enigma surrounding only children still exists- such as only children must be spoilt and lonely kids?
No, because he wont be lonely, he has friends and we are his bestfriend. Yes he is spoilt, no with matery, but with love and affection :)

4. Do you think that parents spend way too much money on newborns these days?
I'm not here to judge. So whatever they do as long as they love their lil one thats all the matter to me

Good luck with your study katharine! :shakehands:

[nugglyboysmum]

Age you had your child? 22

Why did you decide to have only one child? My son had a few health issues over the last 2 years that have been really stressful at times, plus i am still recovering from PND and anxiety. Finances are also 1 of the reasons we only want 1. We just fel content and happy just the way our family is and couldn't imagine another child in our family. DH and I have found that we get stressed quite easily since having DS, and whilst we have loved every moment since he was born we don't wish to go through it all again with another child. We feel we can give our DS a great life without siblings.

DO you find the enigma surrounding only children still exists - such as only children must be spoilt and lonely kids? The enigma is most cetainly still around. I have had countless rude nasty comments from friends family and strangers regarding our decision to have an only child. I have been told that it is sad, cruel, selfish, DS will miss out on so much, he will be spoilt, lonely. I thought these things too til i decided to have an only, i think people shouldn't judge, every family is different. I think it would be selfish of me to have another child and put my family through my depression and anxiety all over again. DS will never be lonely, his friends will always be welcome in our home.

Do you think that parents spend way too much money on newborns these days? Yes it is absolutely ridiculous the amount of stuff that people by for tiny babies. All of our stuff was second hand and my DS certainly hasn't suffered for it, he doesn't knowthe difference. Parents really get suckered in by advertising.

Hope this helps you study!

[katharineyr12]

Thank you all for answerng my questions! it was all very useful for my project. With the question about whether parents spend too much money on babies, i mean whether parents over spoil their newborns these days with equipment they dont need (bugaboo pram $1600) or the large amount of high tech expensive equipment available at baby stores?

Any other comments about your only child will greatly be appreciated!!! :thumbsup:

katharine

[KatiesMum]

1. Age you had your child? 33


2. Why did you decide to only have one child? Was due to start IVF for a 2nd when I found I have leukaemia. Drugs are available but cant be taken in pregnancy.

3. Do you find that the enigma surrounding only children still exists- such as only children must be spoilt and lonely kids? Yes. So many people just assume that it was a selfish decision not to have more....is very hard to deal with

4. Do you think that parents spend way too much money on newborns these days? meh!! people can do whatever they want. My DD is very much loved and appreciated. Sometimes that results in her getting lots of material things, sometimes not.

Thank you for your time, it is greatly appreciated..

[kristin5]

1. Age you had your child?
34

2. Why did you decide to only have one child? Many reasons - In no particular order:
a. Our son has been born with a genetic condition and chances are that our next child could have the same disease.
b. Employment reasons - I am in a good position with my job (mostly working from home but also attending the office 1 day per week). My job is very specialised so if I took a break (ie. quit as I am a consultant, so self-employed), it would be difficult to get back into.
c. Financial Reasons - with one child, we can give him a lot more and do a lot more with him (such as overseas holidays).
d. Ryley completes our family, we don't feel like we need to have more children. He is an absolute joy, and we can't improve on perfection!
e. Age (my husband will be 40 this year and I am 36).

3. Do you find that the enigma surrounding only children still exists- such as only children must be spoilt and lonely kids?
I hear this a lot, mostly from my family. But people need to look at the other side of the coin, that only children also often grow up to be very close to their parents (a definite plus) and don't need to endure sibling rivalry. And they also aren't necessarily lonely - if they have cousins of a similar age and lots of friends, I don't see a problem. My brother is 17 years younger than me, so has been raised as an only child (I have never lived with him) and I have spoken to him about this very thing, and this is his opinion - he is extremely close to his parents and hasn't been lonely because he has always had many friends.

4. Do you think that parents spend way too much money on newborns these days?
It is easy to get carried away and buy the newest fandangled equipment. Whatever you are comfortable with, you should spend. If I had my time over again (the benefit of hindsight) I might not have bought some things, but then I may have bought others instead. Though I purposely didn't go out and spend heaps anyway (especially as we always thought we would only have one child, I couldn't really justify the expense).

[LivinOnAPrayer]

1. Age you had your child? I was 19 when i gave birth to my daughter Alex.

2. Why did you decide to only have one child? Alex has alot of health and development issues. She's been a very sick little girl.

3. Do you find that the enigma surrounding only children still exists- such as only children must be spoilt and lonely kids? Absolutly! We get scolded every time we say shes going to be an only. Alot of people think its unfair to Alex to not give her a sibling. Until we explain our circumstance, they cant see any logic in it.

4. Do you think that parents spend way too much money on newborns these days? LOL, guilty as charged. Alex is so spoilt. We've spent ALOT of money on things that probably arent necissary. But hey, thats the addied bonus of having an only, you can afford to spoil them!!