I always hear: 'It must be nice to only have one kid'... people just don't get it

"Those who complain about how much harder their life is than mine due to having multiple kids is enough to drive me insane," the frustrated mum shares. Please note: mentions of sensitive content

There's something parents of 'only children' detest being asked: "Are you having another?"

It's a very personal question, and most enquirers are not satisfied with a short "one and done" response because it's not what they want to hear.

So, they often follow it up with insensitive comments such as, "Must be nice to only have one kid."

It's that exact phrase that one mum this week has ranted about online, because she's had just about enough of that attitude, thank you very much.

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"It was my choice to have one"

The mum posted on Reddit: 

"I'm the mum of a beautiful 5-year-old boy. I kind of always thought I'd only have one child and it absolutely works for us. My husband travels a lot for work, and I don't think I could handle another with the amount I'm on my own.

"It was my choice to have one and I took steps to prevent more."

The mum explains that while she's respectful of those who choose to have multiple kids, she wishes she was given the same respect.

"The number of people that make comments like 'must be nice to only have one' or 'you can do that because you only have one' or just generally complain about how much harder their life is than mine due to having multiple children is enough to drive me insane.

"I know having one child is easier. That's why I wouldn't let my husband touch me before I had my IUD firmly in place and why we did permanent birth control when our child was four."

The very frustrated woman ends her post by asking, "Why must people with multiple kids make comments like this?

"I totally want to say 'you could have chosen to just have one' but I keep my mouth shut."

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This mama is one and done. Source: iStock

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"That question is LOADED"

The comments section was filled by those who related to the mum's post, and those who thought she was overreacting. 

"I hate the question of 'oh so you decided to stop at one?' I had twins, one passed away when he was 10 months old," shared one mum.

"So that question is LOADED and I either just reply with a lie and say 'yes' or tell them the story and they end up in tears.

"Moral of the story: people need to think before asking/comparing."

Another agreed, writing, "I have a friend who can't have more kids even though she wants one more and it kills her when people say how 'nice' or 'easy' it is to just have one."

While that support was echoed through the comments, some were less than empathetic.

"I don't think people know what to say 90% of their lives so they pull some random sh*t from the back of their brain and just vomit it out," one noted.

Then there was this advice: "It doesn't matter if you have them or don't or have one or anywhere between two and 10. Someone will say something they shouldn't."

And finally, this voice of reason shared, "Wow. As a mum of four, I think it is really sad that people say that. Sure, there are cons to having multiple kids, but there are pros too.

"A lot of kids or just one, both can be good experiences in different ways."

Originally published as I always hear: 'It must be nice to only have one kid'... people just don't get it