Is having one kid enough?

Jul 29, 2026

So, the year is 2009, I was a pre-teen, and then. The worst thing that can happen to a little brother happened to me. My older cousin died. Dude was the kind which did not offer random gifts. He knew cricket ruled breakfast and dinner for me. So, when the birthday came. I went up the stairs, the my dude, just handed me a package.

I tore it open. A package of tennis balls. It was heaven for a while.

His innings soon came to a close

Soon, he was struggling with Platelet counts, and from which he recovered once. But, the second time, it came back stronger, he fell. Part of me our family fell with him.

So, why do I tell you this?

Well, this started a war in our associate family. Since, I was the only male child left (whole another topic for someday), some wanted me to stay put. My mom, father, and grandpa thought otherwise, and sent me away from this environment, and I landed in a metropolis for a few long years.

But, back to the point of this article. Yesterday, I was sipping chai with a local uncle, you know the type. With general stores on the corners. Typically known for over sharing. So, we were talking a bit, and I already had this topic in mind, which he did not know.

He said, why you should have more than one kid.

I asked, oblivious to him, I was thinking the same, why is that? I said.

And from there he unfolded his tragedy of how, he lost his newborn after three days once. And the subsequent struggle that followed, to recover the relationship. To help her wife, and himself. And then, a few years later. They had twins, and then another child.

So, he said. Glad there are three. The house is never lacking for energy and youth. And always gives you united purpose. So, you don’t get self absorbed if you have children running about, take them to school, practice, food, hygiene, etc. Rarely you have time to think, I am gonna run about the streets like a wild man singing, who let the dogs out.

But, his main point of emphasis was the same, as mine. The case for more than one child. They serve as alternatives or side quests. When, the main quest gets dull, boring or loses its way. When, the first one dies, of tragedy. You get vigor from the second and third one.

As loss of a child is heavy on the soul. Hell, a brother’s goodbye almost broke me. And all I had was a experience. How much more would it hurt, to see all the days you cared for him or her, all the day trips, school hand-off, the smiles, the whining, come to a close, before. For a parent.

So, should you have more than one?

I was once in a carnival, and there I saw a man. His eyes weary and dull, his shoulders were shadow like in pain, yet he held two kids. He was weeping without weeping. So, that tells me it is not easy to deal with two.

But, it what happened to my brother happen’s to any unfortunate soul, you lose support. A father loses strength, and a mother loses care. And a brother loses his way.

One more thing. If one has an older sibling. Life is a bit easier. As you have someone at a level above you, that can be imitated. A mini liturgy of life appears in the household. You beat each other up, have argument, and have a perfectly fine meal together.

Perhaps, gift a younger sibling the same kind of attention, my brother showed me, with that birthday present.

Sincerely,

Vimal.

PS : This one was inspired, Anjali-T . So, go check her out. And tell me your sibling stories, or anything related to this topic, in the comment section.

And have a good day.