‘This is why you should never ask someone to have a second child’
Where it is taken for granted in society that after a while you go for a second child, the reality is very different, says Jessica on her blog.
A child
‘There are so many good reasons for not having more than one child. First, pregnancy – it can be very difficult or even traumatic for a woman. Anything can go wrong, childbirth really hurts and let’s not talk about what it does to your body in the long run. If a woman just doesn’t want to go through that again, that should be respected.’
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She also reminds her readers that couples face miscarriages or infertility. ‘Those kinds of things mean that parents may no longer be able or willing to go for a second one.’
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Selfish
Another reason Jessica mentions is the longing for the old life. “When people explain that they have hobbies or professional or personal goals that they want to pursue once their child is a bit older, then a second child doesn’t fit into that picture and they are labeled as selfish. But we all deserve to pursue the life we want to live, don’t we?’
Finally, she concludes that it is not disadvantageous for the child itself not to have siblings. “He gets the full attention of his parents, who are both present at all sporting events and so on. Even studies have shown that children who are only children fare just fine. They have no problems making friends and are not more at risk of depression than children with siblings.’
