I saw this lady on television this morning (OK, she was on Lorraine but shush please don't tell anyone I was watching that!) and subsequently read the original article (again, don't tell anyone I read the Daily Mail!). It's interesting stuff; is it cruel and selfish to choose to only have one child?

I'm astounded & a little bit cross that people can judge someone and question their personal choice in the way Caroline describes and would be interested to hear the experience of others. Whether you are a family of 1 child or 5 I think it's entirely up to you and happy family life comes in all shapes & sizes.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-21303...e-Wanting-child.html

Yes, I agree with you, that is a ridiculous and offensive thing to suggest. I have the average two children and that brings advantages and disadvantages for my little ones, as any size of family does.
I am also from a family of six myself and that had both good and bad points, as I am sure being an only child does.
Of course, a happy family life is not reliant on the size of the family but the people in it!

I only have one child. Perhaps I am lucky that I have no experience of people giving such offensive comment, or perhaps my friends are all sensible people. Of course there will always be ocasion that people simply ask do you have intention of one more. Which I will just say no and move on.

If anyone dare to cross that line and say anything more, I would tell them to mind their own business. After all, this is a personal choice.

I don't think having just one child means selfish. Instead, I would say if having more than one child with no intention/ability to give them attention, support and love that they need, that is selfish and irresponsible.

This generation, there is a tendency of smaller family. Definitely one reason is a lot of career women started their family later, and also most people are sensible and consider whether they can cope financially, physically and emotionally.

I am not a single child, but life turns out all my siblings live in different part of the world. Besides, I do notice that through out childhood, we all have our own friends.

Sometimes I am surprise with the endless social engagements my little one has. That literary filled up the family calendar. Will be a joke if anyone ask whether she is lonely.

Well said Cectai! Excellent points, perfectly put. I've seen this story in the press too and the comments around it on line. People have no right to be so judgemental.

I find being a parent (especially a mother - so many of these criticisms are never levelled at fathers) means you open yourself up to judgement by all and sundry on all and sundry! Family, friends, strangers in the street (I was once given a lecture by someone in the street about my child's dummy), the press, social media can all pile on the pressure about parental choices/issues but at the end of the day these things are no-one else's business but your own.

Yes! I will never forget the time I was feeding my little one a yoghurt while she was sitting in her pushchair one day as we happened to be out when she needed some lunch. A passer-by said at the top of their voice: "Some people should not be allowed to have kids."
I could not quite believe my ears!

Hi I am an only child and my son is too.

I have no desire to have any more children. I love my son dearly but another one is just not for me. Before I had my son my longing for a child was so strong. That longing is no longer there ( even when I hold a newborn I think they are gorgeous but don't feel the slightest bit broody)and I think it would be a selfish and irresponsible thing to have another child just because this is what someobody else expects.

I am fortunate too in that no one has ever made adverse comments apart from are you going to have any more? Even my husband's family (he is one of 5 and his Mum one of 11) understand our reasons for not having more. We only have my parents close by for regular childcare and both of us work - it would just not work.

I don't feel I missed out on anything by not having siblings. I have lots of friends and was very gregarious as a child. I also think this rubbish about growing up selfish is so wrong - I know equal amounts of those with siblings who display this characteristic - it is just your personality and upbringing not whether you have an only child or not.

My son has plenty of friends (in fact one of his best friends is soon to be one of 4) and he has lots of cousins and he loves spending time with all of them. We are able to comfortably provide for him and stay in a house and area we love which we probably wouldn't be able to do if we had more.

There will always be people who judge though no matter how many children you have. As long as you and your family are happy that is really all that matters.

Really interesting thoughts from everyone and I completey agree. Not a day goes by without one article or other in the press damning parents if they do and damning them if they dont. I am sure I read not that long ago that its selfish to have more than one child for environmental reasons; I felt guilty for a nano second but then chose to ignore it and up the recycling instead to offset my second child! As for the suggestion that it is selfish to want only one then I'd suggest the culprits engage their brains before they speak, I'm very pleased to hear that the experience of Surrey mummies has not mirrored those of Caroline. And from personal experience I know that having siblings is no bed of roses! X