I'm an only child, and parent to an only as well. I never felt the need for a sibling; I was exceptionally lucky to be the baby of the family, and had a lot of doting, older cousins who stepped up and made me feel loved. I grew up pretty fast (not because I was an only, but because of abuse), BUT I was able to converse with adults at a young age, and had no trouble being around peers. I wasn't a popular kid, but I wasn't totally outcast.

My son is a lot like me, in that he's able to carry on conversations with adults easily, but does enjoy being around peers. He's ridiculously outgoing, which makes me a bit uncomfortable as an introvert, but that's my issue, not his. Also, he's homeschooled, which EVERYONE in the family hates, because the feel he'll be a social outcast, but out of all the cousins, he's the most sociable of them all. We went to see the cousins end of year school play last year, and the boy came out with a bff and birthday party invite. Everyone was stunned, I was a smug bitch, lol.

Im of the unpopular opinion that kids don't "need" a sibling. I know I couldn't handle another (financially or otherwise), and despite family putting pressure on me that "they raise themselves!" or, "How could you be so selfish?! What happens when you dieeeeee?????!?!!" Or "Two don't cost more than one does!!!!!!", having another wasn't right for our family, and the boy has never asked for a sibling, although he has asked why we never had another, and if we regret only having him.

Sorry for length nnd formatting, I'm on my kindle.