The Single Child - All for one

Each time Jnr Vadai asks, "When will we be having another baby?" The answer is polite but the emotiions trouble inside. Too young to know the politics, the scarifices, the invidividual scars and ......(sigh), he is just a kid and a darling....

These days, it seems no sooner have you had one child when people start to wonder when you will be having the next one. But not all of us hanker after the model family of two kids. For many, one child is enough. It may be a question of financial necessity, medical difficulties, age, a traumatic experience the first time around or a straightforward matter of personal choice.

At the junctions where we stand after 5 years is a world of a difference before Jnr came into the pic.Even in this day and age when more and more people are choosing to be single child families, it seems there is still a stigma attached to this decision. Parents are often criticised for being selfish - saying that the child will be lonely or spoilt without siblings. And this is true for many families - while some really want to stay with one child, others have no choice because they started their family late or have medical complications.

Pros and cons of having just one child

Pros:

* More time to spend together
* Less expensive
* Potentially fewer family arguments
* There's no need for hand-me-down clothes and toys
* Only one pregnancy and birth!

Cons:

* No special sibling bonds
* May feel lonely at times, eg on holidays, rainy weekends etc
* It can be difficult to keep them amused as toddlers - brothers or sisters can help!
* An only child may be more spoiled than one with brother or sisters
* No companionship from siblings in later life

After my session in Klang yesterday, walk a mile in my shoes ... I say...walk...