While I always thought I would have at least two children, it's in our better interest to stick with one!. Growing up, I mistook only child with 'lonely' child! Oops. I have an older sister, and while we totally don't see eye to eye - to say the least... - , I can't imagine what it's like not to grow up with a sibling.
My daughter has a cousin very close in age plus tons of friends. She is 4 1/2 and really more than a mom would ever hope for. I also had the perfect pregnancy - literally - no morning sickness, worked out till month 9. etc. While in another life a sibling would be great, it's just not right for our household. I would probably end up with morning sickness forever! (tounge in cheek)
I know that the vasectomy is the best decision (yeah - no more B/C pills for me!).
My daughter is at the age where she keeps asking me when she will be a sister - I tell her she's the only 'baby' I want. I used to do the same thing to my mom - asking for a baby brother (Karma, huh??).
What are other words to tell a child that they are the only ones that the mom and dad need when the questions come up?
Tell her not everybody has a brother or sister. Don't make it about not "needing" one or that you love her best because you never know what life will deal you.
If it were me I'd stay vague and say "not everybody has a brother or sister."
"I hit the jackpot with you. You are so wonderful that Mommy and Daddy don't need to have another baby. You completed our family."
tell her one is enough for you guys.
also if your interested there are programs like the 'fresh air fund' were you can host a child for a couple of weeks in the summer. its a great experience for the giver and the receiver. the reason i mentioned this it would your child the experience of having a sibling but on a temp basis.
Our only child, daughter 16, never asked about a sibling. She loves being the only.
We've always told her that she completed our family. We have no regrets with one child, there are many advantages..... more travel, more opportunities, very tight family, secure and stable.
Forget what so many say about the social stigma of onlies..... I've seen plenty of children with siblings be the most self centered, poorly behaved, brats I've ever seen.
I used to tell my 'only child' daughter:
"as with everything in life 'ya git what ya git an ya don't throw a fit' ".
She is now 10 and has realized there are many, ahem, advantages to being an only child.
:-)
I have an only son. He's happy being an only. I tell him God sent us the perfect kid for us at the perfect time. :) I wouldn't have it any other way.
You could tell her that "Every family is different and our's is perfect just the way it is". I know another family, where mom had her tubes tied at the birth of number 1. They knew they only wanted (or could handle) one child and never regretted their decision.
I have one girl and two boys and love it. But my daughter wants a sister like no other, and I don't blame her. But I am not going to have more children to try to get her a sister. I told her we could easily have another boy and then she would have 3 brothes, that normally makes her stop. Or when we are shopping, getting coffee, nails done, etc, spending M. and daughter time, I remind her that we could not do all of these things if there was a baby at home, or that she would have to share her M. time with another girl, and she is happy :).
I have one girl and two boys. When my daughter asked for a sister, I told her we didn't want any more babies, that our family was just the right size. I also told her that if we had more kids, we wouldn't have as much time to spend with her and we like spending time with her. I also said we don't get to pick if it's a boy or girl and what if she ended up with another brother (a horrifying thought for her!). A sister would have also meant never having her own room (also scary for her). I think it helps that her BF has a twin sister and another about a year younger and she sees how much they fight.
