COUNTING

How many children do you have?  Do you plan to have more?  Why?

No, really.  WHY?

When told that I only plan to have this child, I get some pretty specific responses.  The most popular of which is:  "But, you have to have more than one.  Your child needs a brother or sister."

Tell me, How do they know that??  Is my child going to need a transplant that will only come with the existence of a sibling?  If my child doesn't get a brother, will it be a bully?  If my child doesn't get a sister, will it be a socio-pathic rapist?

I am sure these friends are not telling me that I should replenish the Earth with my kind.  But, what in the world is wrong with just one?

I don't think that "only" children are lacking in any other way than having an actual sibling.  Believe me when I say that this child will be socialized.  There is no way it won't be.  There are plenty of friends with children and even a cousin or two to help out.  I firmly believe that a child learns what you are willing to teach.  If you don't take the time to teach them to share, the child will NOT share.  If you don't take the time to explore and exemplify compassion, the child will NOT have any.

If you think that I will spoil my child, you have another thing coming.  Just because I can doesn't mean that I will.  I heard "no" as a child.  I was aware when there were financial constraints.  Eventually, I was even privy to the decision making process.  This was developmentally important for my parents to give me.  I will not spoil my child.

In my life, my friends are my family.  I have sisters and brothers and more sisters and brothers.  I see no reason that my child needs to have things differently.  Keep in mind that I do have a younger brother.

Barring the extremes, I think that the Hub and I will be perfectly capable and successful in raising a congenial only child.  I'm not just for Zero Population Growth.  I like to negatively affect the growth.  And, I don't want 18 kids I cannot afford to raise well.  Note that I said "well" - not "comfortably" 

But, am I missing something?  Perhaps I haven't thought this all of the way through?