So, I'm technically in a grey area here- my partner has a daughter (8) that is only with us 6-8 weeks a year. So my son is very much an only child... until he's not lol. I'm very much a mom to an only until my stepdaughter comes to stay with us. I've been with my partner since she was 1 year old so its not a new arrangement. In general my son identifies as an only child.

And let me tell you guys, he LOVES it that way. When his father (my ex) got a vasectomy my son came home and asked me when, not if, WHEN I was going to do the same. Sometimes I tease him about having another and he's always like 'please NO!' He likes his life the way it is, where my attention and care is relished solely on him for the most part, where he can do his thing uninterrupted by siblings, where there are no fights or having his belongings messed with and being compelled to share everything.

There are practical reasons why I never wanted another child. Namely, I have 50/50 custody with my son's father. It saddened me to think of my children living separate lives, with one child living with me full time and my son having to split my attention with another child when he's here with me. But I honestly never had the urge for another one, and was absolutely uninterested in going through the first 3-4 years of another kids development.

My son and I are soooo strongly bonded, as he is with his father. Maybe some of you guys can relate, but for both me and his dad (we are still friends and talk about this kind of stuff), we could never picture another child being between us and him, it didnt make any sense.

My partner is sterilized and has been for a year, so we are officially NEVER having another. That fact has never made me sad. We love that its totally off the table. My son is totally pleased with our decision, relieved even. Life is good <3