The government should allow a second child for families in which one parent is an only child. I'm the only child in my family, but my husband has a sister. We have a daughter now, and we'd like to have a second child. Under the current version of the One Child Policy, however, we are not allowed to do so.

My daughter is eight months old. When she grows up, I can image that she'll be pretty lonely, just like I was when I was little. My husband always tells me stories about him and his sister, and I find myself wishing I had those same experiences. Growing up with a sibling left him happy childhood memories. Growing up alone left me nothing.

Our different family backgrounds have even shaped our personalities. My husband is much more generous than me, because he learned from quite a young age to share everything with his sister. I don't want my daughter to be a self-centered person, but I'm pretty worried that is how she may turn out as an only child. No one really says "no" to her, and she doesn't know to share her toys or food with anyone else.

I don't want to burden my daughter with my past, but according to my experience, she will face similar challenges to what I have faced as an only child: Single child couples have to take care of four old people alone. They have to work and raise their children at the same time, and if any of their parents gets sick, their regular life will be interrupted because there will be no one to watch the kids at home.

A sibling is not only of practical help when it comes to taking care of older parents, he or she is also of mental help as a child grows up. When kids are growing up, they prefer to talk to someone of their own age. A sister or brother is one of their best choices.

Living with a sibling also fosters a healthier personality. I have a friend who recently had a second child. Her first kid was a girl. The girl used to be selfish and irritable, since she grew up with her grandparents, who spoil her. Her mother decided to give birth to a second child to make the daughter more caring for others. Now, the second child – a son – is almost 2 years old, and her original goal has been achieved. Her daughter loves her little brother and enjoys taking care of him. She has learned about sharing and so has her little brother. Whenever there is food or gifts, their mother will tell the girl that you should give it to your brother, since he's young. She also tells her son that you should give it to your sister, since she's a girl and you're a man. Both kids now never keep things to themselves, and their mom is delighted.

My parents take care of my daughter during the day when I am at work. I cannot ask my parents to love her less and not indulge her, but I believe if she has someone younger who is related to her and needs her care, she will be more grownup and sweet.

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