Only Child?

Never ask a mother “Is he/she your only child?” I cringe each and every time I am asked that question. I know they have no idea how devastating this is or that it causes excruciating grief that almost brings me to my knees. Remember there might be a good reason that there is only one child, several in fact and none of them are things you considered when you asked that inevitable question that some parents dread until the day they die. Why not say this instead to the parent, “You have a beautiful son/daughter." And then thank God you have more than one child.