Posts Tagged Under only child

February 3rd, 2010

Baby # 2 – A decision made lightly

pregnant-women-sign-ad1

Scarlett just turned two years old, the birthday that is also the unspoken moment when not-so-new parents actively start trying for kid #2. Since Scarlett was an accident, I never even imagined a number one. But when she came into being, my husband sprung the zinger on me: 0 or 2. I gasped, but he unknowingly echoed the numbers in my own head. Yes, I believed it too. When we were zero, the selfish possibilities were endless. When I imagine two, the selfless possibilities seem endless, too.

One seems slightly cruel, more selfish than zero. My friends who are only children are a little odd about things. Highly intelligent to the point of eccentricity. Socially uncomfortable. Particular about the arrangement of their space. Neat freaks. Loners. It makes sense. Not having to share your space, toys, food or thoughts. Not having someone to look up to or down upon, fight with or fight for, say sorry to, work through difficult social interactions. Having only quiet, boring adults for company.

Continue… »

By
read more
March 18th, 2009

The Guilt of Having an Only Child

My daughter and I are in the art room at the Discovery Museum. We share the clay table with the mother of a newborn and his three-year-old sister. Another mom, pregnant with her second child, sits across from us with her toddler son.

“Do you like being a big sister?” the expecting mom asks the little girl brightly, anticipating the day her boy will play the role of big brother. “Do you help mommy give her a bottle?”

She smiles shyly and gives a proud nod.

Continue… »

By
read more