Too many friends are not enough: Bringing up an only child

in #life7 years ago (edited)

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My wife and I are really lucky to have a daughter. And as I wrote yesterday, we are also lucky to live in a brilliant community of caring, sharing people.

(See https://steemit.com/life/@drwom/the-importance-of-community)

This is even more important to us because our daughter is an only child. And when it's not school time, we know it. Can I have a friend over..? I really want to see one of my friends... Are we going out? Can one of my friends come with us?

You get the idea.

It makes me think all the time about the importance of friends, and friendship, and the life-long love and support which they offer. Especially as she is growing up so fast (see https://steemit.com/life/@drwom/so-my-daughter-is-growing-up)!

And this makes me ponder - Have I been a good friend? Is there more I can do for my own friends? Good questions for another time.

For our daughter, the fact that she is growing up in a community with heaps of great friends next door, down the road and a short way up a few nearby streets, means that she has every chance of having life-long friends that she has literally known since she was a toddler.

And that is important. Because not only is our daughter an only child, but we had her at around the 40 years mark - she may loose one or other (or even both) of her parents before she is 30. That isn't fun to contemplate, but when I do, it is reassuring to know she is growing up in the best possible environment we can give her.

I love you my girl 🌞


Photo by @drwom - sunrise, New Years Day, 2017.

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@DrWom and #teamaustralia footers by the fabulous @ryivhnn

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Great post, it makes us wonder about the importance of friendship. Friends are very important, I think it's best to have only a few, but good ones, instead of having too many but not closed ones :)

Yep - Having close friends are the best 🙃

God bless you and your family
You are a good father hope all men like you cairing of there familys

:-)

Me too

Great friendships can in many cases be just as good or even better than having a sibling. I believe that the importance is the quality of the relationship, not whether it's a friend or a sibling.

Good point!
Thanks for your comment

amazing post
thank you

Ahh I occasionally feel guilty about my kids not seeing their friends as often as anyone would like. "They" said it would get easier as the kids got older, they just got more fragmented as everyone that was busy when we had babies and toddlers just got even busier as they grew up! "They" LIED! XD

Sounds like your kid is having a pretty good life :)

Yeah we're pretty lucky, but what can you do? So much is circumstance, so much is just plain geography and logistics. And we only have one, so the big question is spoilt much?

What do ya reckon?

We try to keep her grounded, but she's a pretty privileged kid. But she's a thoughtful and caring one too, so hopefully all good 😊

People can only go by what they know and do the best they can with that :)

God bless all of you dear..
I have the pleasure to follow you and upvote your post.
Have a look into my blog, may you like any of my posts :)

you love your daughter very much, she is very much lucky to get both of you

and thinking far ahead for her is a great decision you have take
Best wishes for her with her life

Thanks Rehan

I guess we all just do the best we can 😊

I am not a parent yet, but I know how it feels. My sister got her first baby after 10 years of marriage. We - as the big family - have been waiting for that moment. Once he was born , everyone just pour their love to him.

He is still toddler, but whenever he meets another cousin , he will spend all his time playing with them instead his parents. And me? I be been taking care of him since he was born, now I am just someone who will buy anything when he ask . Poor me

Hahahaha yes :-)

How can you say no?

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