By Karren K..C..Giibsson AS AN ONLY CHILD, I may not have learned how to share a toy or compete for my parents’ attention, but I admired the close connection my friends shared with their siblings. My dream was to raise two children. Relying on each other would ensure they would never feel lonely. It must feel like living with a best friend. I craved watching my own children share, negotiate conflicts, and develop the sibling bond I missed as an only child. As a parent of two adult daughters, born six years apart, I began to see things differently. I worried about being accused of favoritism when one of my girls needed to be disciplined. If I brought home treats or gifts, I double-checked that everything was evenly divided to prove I was fair. 146 Hawaii Parent May/June 2026
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