For Emily Carter and her partner, a family of three (including their beloved pets) is the perfect fit, regardless of outside opinions.
There wasn’t a specific moment when we concluded that we were content with just one child, but it became clear when our son, Alex, turned three. My experience during childbirth was incredibly challenging—I endured a lengthy labor, had to rely on forceps for delivery, and faced severe postpartum depression. This experience left a lasting impact on me. A few years into parenting, we reached a decision to not expand our family, and honestly, it has been a fantastic choice for us. I cherish being a mother and love my son more than anything in the world. The decision to have just one child was rooted in that love.
If I were to have another child, I honestly don’t know where I would find the additional support I would need.
For me, having one child is essential for my mental health. I was diagnosed with postpartum depression 16 months after Alex was born. He didn’t sleep through the night for 18 months, which meant I didn’t either. My identity shifted dramatically when I became a mom. While it was beautiful, it was also traumatic and terrifying. The thought of revisiting those early days of motherhood and the mental health challenges that would come with it is not something I want to face again. It took me a long time to escape the mental health challenges I was dealing with.
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In summary, my choice to have only one child stems from a desire to protect my mental health while fully enjoying my experience as a mother.