My DD doesn't want any brother's or sisters.

[FINFAN]

DD was born with hip dysplacia...and threw us for a loop Being our first child we were beside ourselves with fear, ignorance and fatigue.By age 1 she was fine and walking. Fast-forward to 4 years later when sonogram showed we were expecting a boy. Relief, because Hip Dysplacia is 99% more likely to repeat in females,and I stresssed out daily.. but freaking out because how do we raise a boy?Fast-forward again to DS age 4, DD age 9 and she says, "tell me again why you had Mitch?" all innocent and cute...I explain that we both grew up with siblings, didn't want her to be alone when we're gone, yada...yada...yada....she looks at me and without missing a beat says, "well, you could've asked me first" I guess what I'm trying to say is some stuff we thought we had control over, we didn't and the stuff we didn't have control over turned out fine. Whatever you decide you will have a full life.

 

[Sleepy]

My son just turned 11 and he is perfectly content to be the only child. He has plenty of friends and after school activities to keep him occupied. He has never asked for a sibling. The great thing about only having one is I don't have to deal with fighting

 

[Sleepy]

Originally posted by Wendy
My sister and I fought like cats and dogs growing up. We really couldn't stand each other. Now that we're both adults though, I can't tell you how happy I am to have her around. Our mom died while we were both teenagers and just last week our dad was diagnosed with cancer. (he's only 51) If I had to do all this on my own, I don't know how I'd be able to handle it. Luckily, we're able to share the responsibility of getting him to and from doctor's appointments, taking care of him, etc. In a situation like this, you really realize how important your sibling(s) is.

On the same note, I have a brother one year younger than I, but have always been the one to take care of things when my parents needed something and know the older our parents get, I will be more on my own with all the things that needs to be done. So, just because you have siblings it doesn't mean you will have someone by your side to help out when things get rough.

 

[MerryPoppins]

DS was about 4 when DD was born. He said if it was a brother, he would just send it back! He had put in a specific order for a sister. I explained that it didn't work that way and we had to accept whatever God sent us, but he said the doctor could just put him back where he got him if it was a boy. Thank goodness it was a girl. No way was my doctor putting the baby back. LOL! They still fight, but they are pretty close. I think they are both glad that they have each other (or at least I feel they will be someday).

I have an older brother. He's also about 4 years older than me. There were times that we didn't have much in common and he teased me a lot. I wouldn't say we are really close since he lives several hours away, but we talk on the phone several times a month. He's someone I can be honest with and share hopes and dreams. I know that he is there to support me. He'd be here in a minute if I needed him and he knows I am here for him. We've been through Dad's death and Mom's new relationship together. We understand each other very well. I can't say I always agree with him and I don't always like everything he does or says. Still, I wouldn't trade him for anything.

 

[pw2pp]

Have you considered adoption? I don't know which genetic disorder you are speaking of, but I would think that if it is serious enough that your child has to go through "so much pain, sickness, doctors, hospitals, and needles", I don't think that I would personally want to take that chance.
I would opt for adoption myself.

 

[ez]

I often contemplate how many kids is the right amount, and I guess there is no one answer. My DS was 10 when his sister was born, and he has always been so mild mannered and easy going that he was perfectly okay with it, even though he had never "asked" for a brother or sister. Now he is 18 and she is 8, and she started to let me know early on that she didn't want a little brother or sister. She loves all the attention she gets and doesn't want to share it My son and daughter have what I think is a very good relation ship. Even though there is such an age gap, they both love video games and spend time together on those. Now that DS works part time, he thinks nothing of spending 30 or 40 bucks on a game for her for no reason, as a matter of fact, he did that yesterday. I have a sister 3 years older than me, and we are not and have never been close. I have a brother 10 years younger than me whom I adore and am very close to now, I wasn't around much when he was a child. Once he came along, I'm afraid I was old news in my parents eyes. So I was never home and did pretty much as I pleased, which was fine with them!

 

[snoopy]

I was one of 9 kids, all very close in age, very close knit growing up and very close knit today. Even though I have always been the rock to hold my family together, before and after our parents death, I sitll wouldn't trade them for the world. I always knew I would have more than one child, for a long time I thought I would have three, but we decided after two that our family was complete. My kids are 3 1/2 years apart, close enough to still have things in common, I think.

I don't know what I would do if I were in your shoes. I think your circumstances are a lot different in that you have the possibility of passing on the genetic disorder. Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

 

[goofygirl]

Another happy only child here. I am convinced that being an "only" did nothing but benefit me. I got undivided parental attention and lots of privacy- a big plus! Also, being an only made me independant and creative.

As far as making decision....

I believe in "when in doubt, do without!"

 

[Colleen A.]

I have 3 kids. My oldest (DS) wants a brother, the middle child (DD) wants to be an only child and the youngest (another DD) wants a younger sibling!! All I can say is that I have made none of them happy....my work here is done!!

Seriously though, I think any one of them would defend ther other if need be. If one is home from school, it isn't even lunch time before they are asking when they'd be home from school!

Myself, I actually had the 'best' of both worlds. There are 22 years between me and the next oldest child. My sister was already married and had a family of here own. I did not know what it was like to have siblings (I had extra parents! ) until I was almost 20. I prefer having a sister than not having one!