BellaOnline Forums Family Siblings Siblings vs Only child

I grew up with a big family but I will admit I �wished my brothers and sisters away� quite often. Sometimes I only wanted sisters and not brothers and sometimes I wanted everyone gone so that I would be an only child. I wanted all of the attention but it occurred to me that I would get lonely. So I�d like to take a poll.
Growing up did you wish for more siblings or less?

I think it depends on the situation. I was a neglected child so I wished for siblings. I think had I not been I would have enjoyed being an only child more.

I grew up with four brothers and two sisters. I cannot imagine it otherwise. I am the middle daughter and the middle of the four sons and the middle of the seven - guess that makes me the mediator for I can see all sides. Or it makes me "middle of the road"!!! Anyway...I think it would be very difficult to be an only child. My grandson is an only child and sometimes I see the advantages and also the disadvantages. He is however, very sensitive to other people's feelings and a very caring individual. One thin for sure, being part of the "magnificent seven" has never made me feel lonely.

I have a half brother, but don't talk to each other much and never see each other. growing up together wasn't any better, we were both abused by both parents ;o(

I am an only child and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It was very lonely mainly because my parents worked all the time owning a business. Maybe it would have been better with a stay at home mom, but I still would have rather had siblings.

I'm an only child and I never wished for siblings. I was lucky enough to have a large extended family that I saw on a regular basis while growing up. After a couple of hours of noise and confusion, however, I was perfectly happy to go home to my quiet house.

I'm one of three, but I probably would have enjoyed being an only child. (I was a bit of a loner.)

I was an only child and neglected and abused, so I had many social issues to overcome when I reached adulthood. For a long time I believed that being an only child was the worst situation a child could grow up in, but I have since spoken to other only children who loved the experience. It definitely depends on the parenting skills, attention, and socialisation the child receives, particularly with other children.

Unfortunately, though, a major issue remains that an only child's friends can refuse to play with that child if there is a social issue - and the child learns very little from that because the problem is never addressed. Whereas siblings are forced to get over such issues and learn from each other which behaviours are acceptable and which will not be tolerated.

I am sorry you had such a horrid childhood Elle.
And I agree that being an only child (I am not)could cause social issues, if kept in isolation

I am the oldest of nine, with eight younger brothers! It was great growing up, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Things were often crazy, butwe always knew we were loved. I always wanted a big family as well. We only have two kids, and we won't be able to have anymore unless we adopt due to some medical issues. I had my second open heart surgery about eight months ago and they had to put in a mechanical valve and now I am on a ton of medication that makes it impossible for me to get pregnant. Okay, not impossible just life threatening to both me an dthe baby. Anyway, I went into a deep depression over it, and gained a ton of weight. I am now back on track, looking at what I do have instead of what I don't, and am now trying to lose the weight. yes, I still have a blue day every once in a while but I have discovered better ways to handle them than eating!!