thread: 1 child families

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  1. #1
    Registered User
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    Apr 2007
    Recently treechanged to Woodend, VIC
    3,473

    Before I had DD I really didn't think about "how many" because I was 38 and thought I'd be lucky to have one!

    As soon as I had her, I wanted another one though. I've always been someone who's been scared of death but when I had DD I just felt this great sense of peace - that it didn't really matter if I died now because I'd done my job. Bit hard to explain.

    As she got a bit older I guess I want another one for very selfish reasons - not to give her a brother or sister - but to give me another child. I guess I worry that if something ever happened to DD, I wouldn't cope at all.

    I don't really have an opinion on age gaps, sibling dynamics etc. etc. I just want another one FOR ME.

    If I'd started earlier, I could see me having about four. I just think they're fascinating.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Adelaide, SA
    3,962

    We're still undecided as to whether we'll have another and whilst I was pregnant and the first few months of DS' life it was a definite no... for no particular reason other than we were happy with him and didn't feel the need to have another.

    We've gotten the same comments you have and I've learnt to brush them off and not worry about them... so now I say yes, he's our only child and we're happy for it to stay that way for now, but who knows what will happen down the track, this seems squash their comments.

    I have many reasons why I'm happy to stick to just the one, and not so many for wanting another. At the moment we have the next 5 years of our life planned pretty well and a new baby doesn't really fit into them, however if it were to happen i certainly wouldn't be upset about it. Some may call me selfish but that doesn't bother me.

    Anyway, that's just my ramblings on the subject, I say do what YOU want to do, it's your life and ultimately affects you and not those silly people with those silly comments!

  3. #3
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    Oct 2007
    Melbourne
    2,362

    I am just so similar to lestypuss it's slightly scary! We were also in the "no" camp for many years. One day I woke up and said to DH, I think I want kids (my clock came back with a vengeance after being AWOL for many years!).... knock me down with a feather, he turned around and said "yes, me too". So, after one miscarriage, we have our first.

    I find it the most bizarre experience that i can still really understand where people are coming from when they don't want one, but for me it just changed and it was totally emotional. At this stage I really want a second, maybe because our first has lulled us into a false sense of security as he's a most gorgeous cruisey little fella. But if having a second isn't meant to be, then so be it.

    But what i find amazing is the freedom that people have to comment on YOUR decisions. If you took a job somewhere or bought a house somewhere... they wouldn't judge your decision. But for some reason whether you decide to have 0, 1, 2 or more kids is something that people feel free to make very personal (and often hurtful) comments and judgements about. I think having a child is such a huge thing that it has to be right for you and your partner... no-one else. I think I'd be so tempted to turn around and tell them they should change jobs or move house... if they look surprised, then call them on the fact they're trying to tell you how to live your life!!!!

    Ok, off my soapbox now