Sometimes I wonder if The Munch is lonely being an only child. I mean we have lots of friends, her cousin lives a mile a way, and she goes to school, so there is plenty of opportunity to play with kids – but she is still the only one child of mine.
I watch other kids with their brother’s and sisters and it sometimes makes me feel melancholy. On Sunday’s my friend’s daughters come to play and they have a great dynamic, and seem very close. You can tell how much they depend on each other emotionally. Or at Munch’s dance class there is a mother who brings her 3 kids. Two of them wrestle the entire time as they wait for their sister to finish class. There is something so endearing about watching siblings connect, and it makes me wonder if The Munch is missing out by not having one.
But at the same time, there is a unique closeness between The Munch and I because there is no one else for her to compete with, or distract me from her. I also end up bringing her to a lot of things that maybe other parents wouldn’t because it is easier to cart around one kid then 4. The Munch comes to board meetings with me, classes I teach, friend’s houses, performances, concerts, parties… My first instinct is always to bring her with me before I would be to leave her behind, but that would be different if she was one of many.
So maybe The Munch is okay being an only child? It is all she knows after all. And I have to admit; Munch is also crazy possessive of me. Any time another kid tries to sit on my lap, or get affection from me, The Munch is not cool with it. My friend Cyndal has a baby who is 3-months old and who happens to be in love with me. Every time I pick him up, he stops crying and snuggles into my arms. To be honest, it is giving me a major ego how much this kid likes me. But if I hold him for too long the Munch will be like;
Munch: Mamma I need a hug!
Toni: Well hold on. I am holding Asa right now, and he is almost asleep. Give me a few minutes.
Munch: But I really want a hug Mamma!!! I need one right now!
Toni: Okay, well give me hug then.
Munch: No I can’t, he is in the way!
Toni: Asa is not in the way. See. I am holding him on this side, and you can hug me over here!
Munch: No Mamma no! I need BOTH arms!
Toni: A one armed hug is still really good stuff Munch
Munch: No Mamma seriously. I need both arms. You are going to have put Asa over there on the floor.
Yeah, maybe Munch is totally okay as an only child.
