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Oh yes, I was an only child, and I always wanted a brother or sister too. My Dad especially spoiled me rotten.

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"Cats are like potato chips, you can never have just one".
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On 11/8/2014 wookie said:
On 11/8/2014 NoelSeven said:
On 11/8/2014 Abby1967 said: I knew there had to be a few of us out there. Thank you for answering. I'm sure we can agree there's good things and bad things about being only children.

There's more good than bad, imo Smile I've researched quite a bit about it over the years.

The only drawback I've experienced is when my parents got older and needed help and I was their only child. But! I have a great husband who was with me and did so much. We've always been partners.

That is the only concern I have for my son. We never know what the future holds, but I never want to be a burden to him. My own mom in in the Vitas Hospice program. Unfortunately, my brother is the only one of my siblings who lives near her. He is a wonderful caretaker, but I wish I lived closer, so I could share responsibilities with him, and take a little bit off his shoulders.

You've made a really good point, imo. Even with siblings, the major responsibility might still fall on just one person.

A Thrill Of Hope The Weary World Rejoices
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On 11/8/2014 NoelSeven said:
On 11/8/2014 wookie said:
On 11/8/2014 NoelSeven said:
On 11/8/2014 Abby1967 said: I knew there had to be a few of us out there. Thank you for answering. I'm sure we can agree there's good things and bad things about being only children.

There's more good than bad, imo Smile I've researched quite a bit about it over the years.

The only drawback I've experienced is when my parents got older and needed help and I was their only child. But! I have a great husband who was with me and did so much. We've always been partners.

That is the only concern I have for my son. We never know what the future holds, but I never want to be a burden to him. My own mom in in the Vitas Hospice program. Unfortunately, my brother is the only one of my siblings who lives near her. He is a wonderful caretaker, but I wish I lived closer, so I could share responsibilities with him, and take a little bit off his shoulders.

You've made a really good point, imo. Even with siblings, the major responsibility might still fall on just one person.

It has here. Two siblings and me have and will take care of them and his uncle. We did with his mother and grandmother.

Fate whispers to her, "You cannot withstand the storm." She whispers back, "I am the storm."

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On 11/8/2014 Preds said:
On 11/8/2014 NoelSeven said:
On 11/8/2014 wookie said:
On 11/8/2014 NoelSeven said:
On 11/8/2014 Abby1967 said: I knew there had to be a few of us out there. Thank you for answering. I'm sure we can agree there's good things and bad things about being only children.

There's more good than bad, imo Smile I've researched quite a bit about it over the years.

The only drawback I've experienced is when my parents got older and needed help and I was their only child. But! I have a great husband who was with me and did so much. We've always been partners.

That is the only concern I have for my son. We never know what the future holds, but I never want to be a burden to him. My own mom in in the Vitas Hospice program. Unfortunately, my brother is the only one of my siblings who lives near her. He is a wonderful caretaker, but I wish I lived closer, so I could share responsibilities with him, and take a little bit off his shoulders.

You've made a really good point, imo. Even with siblings, the major responsibility might still fall on just one person.

It has here. Two siblings and me have and will take care of them and his uncle. We did with his mother and grandmother.

Two sisters have been my lifelong friends since we were about 4 years old. One sister has lived in Europe since college age. It fell on one alone to do all the caretaking of the parents.

A Thrill Of Hope The Weary World Rejoices
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Oh, yeah, Noel. It happens often. Sometimes it's because of distance, and other times because the other siblings let it all fall on one. I had 3 siblings. One has passed. When my stepdad was dying, I stayed with them for 2 months til the end. My sister came for short visits twice. My brother and I were the main caretakers.

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On 11/8/2014 wookie said:

Oh, yeah, Noel. It happens often. Sometimes it's because of distance, and other times because the other siblings let it all fall on one. I had 3 siblings. One has passed. When my stepdad was dying, I stayed with them for 2 months til the end. My sister came for short visits twice. My brother and I were the main caretakers.

Sorry, wookie {#emotions_dlg.sad} That happens so often for so many different reasons, and many of those reasons are valid.

A Thrill Of Hope The Weary World Rejoices
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I have an older sister. She also posts here.

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On 11/8/2014 NoelSeven said:
On 11/8/2014 wookie said:

Oh, yeah, Noel. It happens often. Sometimes it's because of distance, and other times because the other siblings let it all fall on one. I had 3 siblings. One has passed. When my stepdad was dying, I stayed with them for 2 months til the end. My sister came for short visits twice. My brother and I were the main caretakers.

Sorry, wookie {#emotions_dlg.sad} That happens so often for so many different reasons, and many of those reasons are valid.

Yes, in our situation the reasons were very valid. My sister did what she could, given her circumstances. She had clients who depended on her. I hope I didn't give the impression I resented it. I didn't. With my mom, she has been told, although they say it's probably not likely, she could possibly live 3 years. She still drives, and will be flying here for Thanksgiving. She was placed in the Vitas program because there is nothing more medicine can do for her.

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Only child here. Hated it all my life and was not spoiled, almost the opposite. I have two grown daughters. One east coast and one west. They hardly ever speak and see each other. Makes me so sad.