Does an only child miss out?

I'm an only child and I don't remember feeling lonely when I was young. Although I enjoyed going out with my friends, I was quite happy on my own as well. I certainly wasn't "spoilt" in the conventional sense of having lots of money spent on me but I didn't have to share my time and space with siblings, or help in the house. Also, I had almost no contact with babies or young children, so felt very at sea when I had my first child.

My dad died 12 years ago and he was also an only child. Now there's only my mum (92), her brother, and a cousin (both of whom live far away) left. I find that I envy friends who have brothers and sisters to share family gatherings and childhood memories with. I also think that my own children and grandchildren have missed out in not having an extended family (my husband emigrated here and he has no family in England).

This isn't a whinge - I have a happy life with my husband, children, grandchildren and good friends, for which I'm grateful, but I just wondered what other people thought.