Singletons sharing the care

Psychology Today has a blog about only children.

As you are probably well aware from here, I’m an only child, whan to know more? On Being an Only Child, by me.

Anyway, they cover a topic that is near and dear to my cold, sinling-less little heart: aging parents having to rely on an only child.

During my mother’s illness, I have to admit that I sometimes wished for someone to share the burden, both physical and psychological, with. But, my father’s steadfast refusal to give me a sibling (that was a joke, I’m 43, he’s 75) has rendered that dream impossible.

However, after witnessing friends with aging parents who had raging battles with their siblings over care, I have to say that maybe having siblings isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, in this case.

I have to remember, like in my husband’s family for instance, the presence of siblings doesn’t always mean sharing the care.