CONNECTING ONLY CHILD FAMILIES AROUND THE WORLD
Only Child World is a parenting and lifestyle blog with the mission to uplift, inspire, empower, and connect only-child families around the globe.
about me
Hey, welcome to my world! I'm Natasha, a girl with roots in the bustling city of Sao Paulo and branches that have stretched to London, Dubai, Singapore, and back to Brazil again.
My life's a colorful mix of cultures, thanks to my Japanese grandparents, and a big, loving family that's always been my anchor.
Despite being surrounded by my three sisters, incredible parents, and a grandmother who was nothing short of inspiring, I often felt like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit.
My shy, introverted nature, coupled with the unique experience of being a minority in my country, only deepened this sense of not quite belonging.
But here's the heart of it: Since I was young, I've always had this special connection with kids. Their pure honesty and boundless energy showed me it's okay to be myself.
Caring for them, I tapped into a hidden source of confidence and a deep sense of belonging.
It was probably the few times that I felt truly understood and at ease as if their acceptance and joy in the simple moments reflected the best parts of me I had yet to recognize.
From then on, the dream of one day having a child took root in my heart.
But as for the numbers?
They never really crossed my mind. It wasn't about filling a quota; it was about the depth of connection, the kind that I had experienced in those laughter-filled, eye-opening moments with the kids.
My Childhood
Beginning of Adult Life
Fast forward to 2008, I quit my exciting and stressful job in Marketing at a telecom company, married my dream partner (a former colleague), and moved to London to pursue my husband's MBA.
Despite moving to one of the most vibrant cities in the world, life in London was far from easy for me; it was a massive transition from my life back in Brazil.
Unfortunately, I was only partially open to the challenge.
But tough times are also opportunities to reflect and discover more about ourselves. Undoubtedly, it was my most enlightening two years.
In 2010, my husband got a job offer to work in Dubai.
There wouldn’t be a better opportunity to experience sunshine again than this!
We initially planned to stay for two years but stayed for eight instead.
Life in Dubai was absolutely amazing! That's because I came there with a different mindset.
I was open to change, learning new things, and building a solid network of friends.
There, I worked primarily in marketing, business, and strategy in telecom and later as a consultant in the insurance sector.
Also, my husband and I started our first consultancy business during that time
Since She Was Born
Then 2013, my life completely changed – we transitioned from couple to family.
Nothing could have made me feel more complete.
I finally felt everything was in the right place and has remained that way.
Olivia grew up healthy, funny, caring, stubborn, friendly, energetic, and loving.
Aside from the occasional thoughts of growing our family, mainly due to the constant pressure, I never felt we were missing anything.
We had the chance to travel and explore many different cultures.
Olivia had a wonderful social life, and we loved our family structure. It worked perfectly for us.
After eight years in Dubai, we embraced the opportunity to move to Singapore.
And that's when I first experienced what I believe to be one of the challenges of having an only child.
In addition to the usual difficulties of any change, we also had to deal with an almost 6-year-old girl who had to start all over again in a different country, a different culture, a new school, and a new home.
I couldn't help but think it would be easier if she had a sibling to share the experience with.
Sadly, society's perceptions (and my own) led to these doubts!
How the Blog Started
While fighting my anxieties about Olivia not having a little brother or sister, I figured that only children are no longer the exception.
This prompted me to research more about only-child families: their dynamics, advantages, and disadvantages, as well as the joys and challenges of being a parent.
And the more I read, the more I understood and appreciated what I knew deep inside - I wasn't missing out on anything.
In fact, I was living the best of both worlds - the love and joy of motherhood and the opportunity to pursue my professional and personal goals.
All while having the chance to enjoy and appreciate each stage of Olivia's life.
As a result, I began my blog hoping to inspire other mothers (and fathers) to embrace their uniqueness.
My mission is to normalize the only-child family by writing about it to break down the stigma attached.
Having an only child can be as rewarding and beautiful as having multiple children.
But ultimately, it all comes down to making the most of our family dynamics and taking advantage of all the opportunities it brings.
As a community, let's embrace our differences and help build each other up. Love,
Natasha
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