When deciding whether or not to have a second child, I struggled with the feeling of guilt. Would my first child feel like she wasn’t enough? Do I have enough love and attention to share with both of them? After speaking to other moms, I discovered that this is a common feeling.
I wrote this poem to my daughter when I struggled with those thoughts:
As an only child, I say having two is a gift to the first, which will protect him from becoming an indulged and self-indulgent narcissist. Having a sibling (or several) will train him how to behave with his peers, to develop social skills for the real world. Giving a sibling is the best life coaching. I wish my parents had done it, because I needed the training!
Shawn, that’s hilarious! I have a sister who is 3 years and 3 months older than I. We never really related with each other until our twenties. It’s nice to have a sibling to share memories with, so I understand why it would be frustrating not having one! I hope you have some good friends you can share similar experiences with! Thank you for sharing your experiences!