Growing up in a large Latino immigrant family, Virginia Isaad always imagined she would one day have multiple children. As the eldest of four siblings, she often cared for her brothers and sisters, and assumed that raising a big family would be her natural path.
But after marrying in her 30s, building her career, and eventually becoming a mother, reality shifted.
Mother Reflects on Choosing One Child
Her journey to parenthood took nearly two years, and the difficult labor and delivery of her son left her scarred. Now, with a 16‑month‑old toddler, she and her husband have decided to be “one‑and‑done.”
Parenting has proven to be a full‑time job, with sleepless nights, physical strain, and the overwhelming mental load of solo caregiving while her husband works long hours.
Financial pressures in Los Angeles and the challenges of balancing childcare with self‑care reinforced the decision. Though she once envisioned four children, even two now feels impossible.
Isaad admits to mourning the family she thought she would have, worrying her son may miss out on sibling bonds. Yet she recognizes that choosing one child allows her and her husband to be the best versions of themselves as parents, prioritizing quality of life over quantity.
