I am an only child and was incredibly loved and didn't miss out on anything growing up. But my dad died when I was 9 and I craved siblings ever since - I think I wanted someone to share my childhood memories with. Also, my mother invested EVERYTHING in me and my dad - when my dad died that was transferred to me. It was very difficult for her (and me) when I decided to leave home, and worse when I married at 20 (mum hated DH). It is a terrible burden as a child growing up to know that you are the only thing your mother lives for, that if something happened to you she would probably commit suicide. Now that sounds dramatic I know, but my mum was married to my dad for 17 years and widowed at only 36, so there were times then that she would have been pretty close to doing it. But she stayed alive for me - something I am grateful for of course, but it is still a terrible burden to grow up with. I am completely fine with mum now and she has a life of her own, but the memory of that burden still haunts me. I wouldn't ever want Flynn to feel that. I think if you are prepared to have your own life apart from your child and DH then only having one is fine, but while it is marvellous to love a child with all your heart, it is a burden to grow up knowing that you are EVERYTHING to someone. Enigma, I hope you don't find this offensive but in good conscience I had to post the "opposing view"