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Other Info:
1) Situation: I have a 2-year-old child. My son is an incredibly great, uncomplicated child and having him is pretty much the best decision I've done. He is the love of my life, my everything. I have a strong desire, and are actively planning to give my son a sibling. My son's father and my former partner, with whom I have been together for years, does not want to have a fifth child as he has 3 adult children from his previous marriage. We are now separated and share the responsibility as parents, and have the same idea about family, values and parenting style. We communicate efficiently and "speak the same language" with similar professional and educational background (he is specialist in child psychiatry, I'm clinical psychologist amongst others).
2) History: Why did I wait so long to have children? I wasn't ready ar willing to settled down just yet. I have always been goal oriented- and achievement motivated; competitive sport/athlete from early childhood, cared for schooling and study grades, I studied longer and highly educated. I also had other priorities in my young adult years like traveling the world for business and pleasure. Have had several serious and long-term relationships over the years (and some in between), but my work got the best of me. I've also questioned whether I'd want children altogether. At 35 I went to a clinic abroad to do "social egg freezing" (e.g., stored own quality eggs for later use. - just in case, and that case is now).
3) Next step, looking for: I am in my 40s (eggs mid 30s), single by choice and is a professor/clinician specialist by profession. In recent years, I have focused strongly on my career with several research stays as visiting professor at ivy league universities. My priorities have fortunately changed since becoming a mum. My desire to have more children is growing, my biological clock is running out, but I lack a suitable partner. Sperm donation is out of the question for me because I want to know the father of my child. I believe it is the best interest of the child as well, in my view a child deserves to know his parents. I am actively planning a trip to the mentioned clinic abroad to give my son a sibling; Looking for a co-parent with whom I share similar: values, idea about family or in parenting style, etc. There is ongoing controversy in the debate of the importance some (including myself) lay on having a sibling or not in child development.
4) Importance of siblings: As a psychologist I'm very well aware of the role of sibling relationships in human development. Sibling relationships play a multifaceted role in frosting personal growth, resilience, and the development of essential life skills, enriching individuals' experiences through out their lives. From early childhood through adulthood, siblings serve as influential socializing agents, introducing individuals to the intricacies of social norms, values, and behaviors within the family context. During early years siblings often serve as a child's first peer group, influencing language acquisition, social cognition, and emotional regulation. In adolescence, the focus shifts toward the role of siblings in identity formation, autonomy development, and the navigation of peer relationships. Importantly, sibling dynamics contribute significantly to the formation of individual identities as siblings differentiate themselves and develop a sense of self within the family unit. Interactions with sibling also lay the groundwork for effective communication skills, conflict resolution abilities, and the formation of peer relationships. Beyond these immediate impacts, siblings serve as carriers of familial and cultural influences, contributing to the transmission of values, traditions, and moral beliefs. The enduring nature of sibling connection, extending into adulthood, provides a consistent source of support, fostering a sense of continuity and belonging.
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