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I've read post after post from "onlies" and there seems to be a lot of us. Let's find out! I'll be #1. Who's #2?

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I'm an only child too! At this point I wish I had some brothers and sisters to help me with Mom.
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only child - most of the time, after hearing about all the POS siblings who don't help out, I'm not particularly upset about it either.
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#3, also an only child.

I remember telling my Dad how overwhelming it was for me to help him and Mom. I reminded my Dad that when his Mom needed help there was a whole village of relatives to help, 15 people who would take turns. Same with my Mom's side of the family for her parents.

Since I and my parents had lived many States away from both sides of the family, I was "it".
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I am! Always wanted big brother and/or sister until I got married to one of 5. Now they aren’t even speaking to each other.
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I’m an only child too.
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I’m the only one left. Last man standing.
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I'm an only child. I recently had a health scare and it's because of this scare that I decided the next time Mom develops a fever from whatever, I'm putting her on hospice and letting nature take its course. I love Mom dearly with all my heart - but I need to get on with my life and, hopefully, meet a partner to care for me as I've cared for both of my parents. Mom has no quality of life and I've just been waiting for something to "take" her...My goodness...Old World genetics just keeps this woman going strong! I don't regret my decision to care for both parents and I believe The Universe (others say God but it's all the same...tomato...tomahhto...) wanted me to learn from the very tough lessons from caregiving to mold me into the person I'm destined to be. I try to find the positive in the most negative, stressful time of my life!
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I am an only child, but I have not so great step-siblings and one great step-sibling.
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My brother & sister are ex-con, crack addicts. Both of them bleeding mom & dad dry. I would be better off as an only child!
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Only Child 🧒, only caregiver, only relative that cares, only ear available.
I know many complain about siblings that don’t help, but I think I could benefit from having a sibling, if nothing else, just for distraction! That way my mom’s attention, dislike, disappointment, worries, anger, love,..etc would not be only focused on me..the only!! It’s a lot of “onlyness”!
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*raises hand* I lost the count, sorry, I guess I'm #12?
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I’m an only. Number 13 on the list I think
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Only as well. So change my screen name to Igloo14???

My parents had me very - as they would say - very late in life. Mom in her 90’s going into LTC while we’ve got one in middle school. Cousins much much older & their kids more my contemporary. It’s been an interesting viewpoint to bridge.
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Igloo, Same here! my cousins are closer to my mom’s age than mine..and I’m even younger than my cousin’s children! That definitely adds another ingredient to the isolation because, at least in my case, I don’t have cousins-friends and don’t necessarily fit in the group of their children either. It’s weird, I’m not only “an only” but also an oddity in other ways! :-\
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I am an only child. I’ve always loved it until now. I’ve known what awaited me eventually, two extremely demanding parents who NEVER say thank you, go to hell or get out. Very negative people especially my dad. Que sera....
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Sorry Diana to hear what is happening. I wonder if its their medical conditions or medications that are making them so negative.

I am technically not an only child but I often feel as I am because none of my siblings help that much with my parents. I felt quite abandoned by my siblings.
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Me too. Now both parents are in memory care with one being sweet and loving and the other being angry and moody.
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Only child here too! But I have several cousins who are great, and 2 awesome friends who are/were in the same caregiver spot I am in!
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I'm an only child and I'm single. I care for my father who is also an only child.

My mother died in 2009, but my parents divorced when I was young and she raised me. I am not in touch with her family. Her half-brothers are much younger than her and I never really knew them. Her older sister has been in a nursing home for 20 years after a devastating stroke and her other sister was only interested in taking all her things when she died, which she did and it caused irreparable damage to any relationship we had.

I adore my dad and choose to take care of him. I have to remember that I have other options I could pursue for him, but that would not be a solution that would me feel better at all. I've put my dreams and adventures on hold because I chose my dad. It's gotten very hard the past 2 years as my dad's ability to function independently has waned. He moved in with me in 2009 but was pretty independent for a while. The hard part is that he can't seem to decide if he wants my help or not. He can be very irritable and I think it's because he is aware he can't do things he used to be able to do - like manage money. He has trouble considering that I may be tired on my days off of work and will have a tantrum because he wants a haircut right now.

It has gotten very difficult to keep things clean at home. He's messy and spills food and drinks everywhere, the refrigerator is always gross and sticky, the bathroom is sprayed with urine, and on and on. It seems like my new hobby is cleaning up when I get home. I don't have children because although I love them, it was not something that fit into my dreams.

It does get lonely and frustrating.
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I am also the only surviving child in my family. My sibs had a genetic disorder and died in childhood. It is hard to be the only caretaker. My dad resents having to move in with me and my husband and because of his mental health issues has become paranoid and suspicious of my husband. I talked to the doctor about his mood and hot temper and she started him on an antidepressant which seems to help. He is back to telling the same old jokes and making me laugh at his quirky view on life! I do wish I had someone with whom to share the burden though.
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I’m an only child by default ..younger brother passed away in 2009..don’t know how much help he would have been..
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